New supply from ship will not come close to ending the energy crisis that is increasing public frustration with government

This article is more than 9 years old

This article is more than 9 years old

The world's largest ship-based power plant will begin supplying Pakistan with electricity next month in an effort to ease the country's chronic energy shortages, a company official said today.

The new supply still will not come close to ending the energy crisis that plagues Pakistan, increasing widespread public frustration with the US-allied government as it struggles to contain the Taliban insurgency.

The ship, which burns furnace oil, will generate about 230MW for the national power grid, said Asad Mahmood, a spokesman for the vessel's Turkish owner, Karkey Karadeniz Electrik.

The owner has a five-year contract to sell power to the deeply indebted Pakistani national power company. Mahmood did not disclose the price of the contract.

Now anchored off the southern port city of Karachi, the 75,595-tonne Kaya Bey will begin feeding into the national grid within four weeks after a dedication ceremony on Sunday, Mahmood said.

The ship's contribution, however, will only make a dent in the overall power crisis. Pakistan's energy demands outstrip supply by an estimated 5,000MW, thanks to lack of investment, soaring usage and a crumbling electricity generation infrastructure that heavily relies on hydropower.

Power cuts last up to 16 hours a day in some areas and damage industrial growth. Shortages are worst in summer, when the temperatures soar but power cuts mean fans and air conditioners do not work.

The national power company recently raised its rates by 2%, capping two years of increases that have nearly doubled the cost of electricity for consumers.

Authorities have said the price rises pushed by international aid donors are necessary because the former military government froze rates for years and many state agencies have failed to pay their bills, leading to debt of more than $4.5bn (£2.8bn), curtailing Pakistan's ability to invest in new power plants.