Orhan Karadeniz, who became CEO of Karadeniz Holding in 1996

The energy sector in Africa is in a fast evolution process and Turkey-based Karadeniz Holding’s subsidiary Karpowership is taking the centre stage. Land-based power generation in the past was pioneered by Karkey Karadeniz and now Karpowership has emerged as a frontrunner in floating power plants. Together, they reflect the breadth of innovation and influence of Karadeniz Holding in the other continents.   

Karkey Karadeniz: A Legacy of Land Power

The company’s power journey began in 1996 when they initiated its projects under its subsidiary, Karadeniz Electricity Production Inc. (Karkey). Most of the firsts were due to investments in land power plants and electricity trading.

In the year 1999, Karkey started commercial production with its Silopi district, Şırnak first thermal power plant. It also became the first company to have several licenses within the energy value chain. Even the Silopi Thermal Power Plant provided electricity to northern Iraq for over 12 years (2003 to 2015). These milestones were achieved under the leadership of Orhan Karadeniz, who became CEO of Karadeniz Holding in 1996.

Floating Power to Africa through Karpowership

Based on this foundation, Orhan Karadeniz led Karadeniz Holding ‘s expansion into floating power plants through its subsidiary Karpowership. In contrast to Karkey’s land projects, Karpowership focuses on Powerships, which are huge floating ships providing power and they can be deployed within a short period of time. These vessels have become important to African countries experiencing acute power supply deficiency.

Karpowership is already a supplier of electricity to eight countries in Africa, and it has over 2,000 megawatts of power generation capacity. It can also be customised to suit governments that are faced with increased demand within one to two weeks hence making it an alternative that can be easily adapted to national grids. Karpowership has 18 countries in operation outside Africa, Latin America, Asia and Middle East with recent developments in Iraq and in the Dominican Republic.

Meeting Rising Demand

Data centres, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies are fostering the growing electricity demand at a rapid pace in the entire world. The increased strain was imposed on Africa with rapid urbanisation and industrialisation. With renewable energy rising, Orhan Karadeniz says that renewable energy by itself can’t match Africa's expanding needs. Instead, Karpowership incorporates natural gas driven Powerships as a cleaner thermal alternative, which typically burns liquid fuel, and after a few months it goes to gas. In the long-term, Karadeniz Holding will help to enhance the balanced development of the country through the introduction of onshore plants to diversify the national energy base.

Strategies to Finance Innovation and Soft Power

The total contribution of African countries to the world carbon emissions is merely 3.5 percent, but they encounter serious challenges to get funds to finance non-renewable energy projects. The model of Karpowership does not have these barriers, as it provides inexpensive electricity without any upfront funding of the project. This method, says Orhan Karadeniz, is not only a way of ensuring instant access but also a catalyst to the economy.

Karadeniz Holding, under the leadership of Orhan Karadeniz and Osman Karadeniz (Chairman), is a symbol of increasing influence in foreign countries. Karpowership highlights the importance of private sector expertise in determining the future of Africa in terms of energy, and Orhan Karadeniz sees the firm as a long-partner to the continent.

Social Development Initiatives

Karpowership also benefits the social progress in addition to energy. The company has sponsored education of more than 3,000 African girls through the program known as “Girl Power” and enabled them to complete schooling. These acts show its desire to be developed in addition to economic development.

From pioneering land power plants of Karkey Karadeniz and floating power plants of Karpowership, Karadeniz Holding under the leadership of Orhan Karadeniz and Osman Karadeniz has demonstrated that innovation and adaptability can revolutionise the world’s energy provision.

Conclusion

Orhan Karadeniz, CEO at Karadeniz Holdings, played an important role in the growth of Karpowership, a company specializing in floating power plants. These power-generating ships can be deployed rapidly to countries experiencing electricity shortages, providing a flexible and efficient energy solution. Across Africa, demand for Karpowership’s services is rising as governments and businesses seek reliable electricity to support economic growth, industrial development, and improved living standards for their populations.