South Africa's biggest business lobby has asked the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) what it will do if plans to procure around 1 220 MW of electricity from the contested Karpowership SA deal is delayed or falls through.
In March, the Turkish-owned powership operator was named as a preferred bidder in the department's Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) to fast-track new power production from independent producers.
Karpowership SA has bid to moor five powerships and three gas-supply ships at three local harbours for 20 years. According to an estimate prepared by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the powerships will cost SA between R160 billion and R218 billion over their 20-year lifespan.
