This past Sunday, the Turkish floating power plant Cankuthan Bey anchored in Havana Bay, aiming to alleviate the frequent power outages plaguing Cuba during its severe energy crisis. This 80 MW capacity unit joins five others already in operation throughout the country, yet its contribution falls short of correcting the national energy shortfall, which exceeds 1,500 MW daily, according to the news outlet 14yMedio.
Originating from Panama, the Cankuthan Bey is owned by the Turkish company Karpowership and was added to their fleet in October, as reported by VesselFinder. Stretching 85 meters in length and 40 meters in width, it is named after the engineer who designed it, Cankuthan Kurak, following the company’s naming traditions.
Though the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) has not released an official statement regarding its arrival, it is known that the plant was leased under terms whose costs have not been disclosed. Since 2019, Karpowership has dispatched eight floating power plants to Cuba, with six currently in service: three stationed in Havana (Belgin Sultan, Suheyla Sultan, and Erol Bay), one in Mariel (Ela Sultan), another in Santiago de Cuba (Erin Sultan), and now, the newly arrived Cankuthan Bey.
14yMedio also recalled that in October, government-affiliated journalist Luis Carlos Céspedes had revealed that the Cuban regime had arranged for a new Turkish floating power plant, described as one of the most advanced. However, in typical secrecy, UNE initially denied these claims, but the arrival of the Cankuthan Bey confirms that negotiations indeed took place.
The exact costs of these power barges remain undisclosed, yet experiences from other nations offer some clues. In Ecuador, a 100 MW floating plant incurred over $114 million in expenses over 18 months, while in the Dominican Republic, two 180 MW barges cost $40 million over 42 months of operation.
On September 26th, the floating power plant Belgin Sultan suffered a fire, resulting in at least eight injuries, two of whom—both Turkish nationals—later died. Despite these incidents, floating power plants have become a crucial element in addressing Cuba's energy crisis, though not without significant expenses and controversies.
Karpowership's New Addition: Cankuthan Bey
The Cankuthan Bey, a 5,200 deadweight ton floating power plant, was transformed from the seismic research vessel Ramform Viking, as detailed by Mavivatannet on Instagram. Karpowership uses these floating power plants to generate electricity and supply energy to coastal regions in need. Its arrival is yet another attempt to stabilize the island's electric grid; however, it remains to be seen whether it will suffice to meet the increasing energy demands.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Challenges
Why is Cuba facing an energy crisis?
Cuba is experiencing an energy crisis due to outdated infrastructure, insufficient investment in energy production, and a reliance on imported fuels, which leads to frequent power outages.
What role do floating power plants play in Cuba?
Floating power plants like those from Karpowership provide a temporary solution to generate electricity and alleviate some of the power shortages affecting the country.
How does the Cankuthan Bey contribute to the energy grid?
The Cankuthan Bey contributes 80 MW to Cuba's energy grid, supplementing existing power plants to help reduce the frequency of blackouts.