The prequalified bidders include the UK’s International Power and Japan’s Sumitomo; Korea Electric Power Company with Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power Projects; India’s Reliance Energy; Singapore’s Sembcorp; Belgium's Suez Energy International with Kuwait’s Gulf Investment Corporation; and Abu Dhabi Energy Company(Taqa) with Saudi Arabia’s National Power Company.

Three more Japanese companies, Marubeni Corporation, Mitsubishi and Marubeni Corporation, were also prequalified. Several Malaysian companies also prequalified. They are Malakoff Berhad with Saudi Oger and Japan’s Sojitz Corporation; Powertek; Tenaga Nasional Berhad; and YTL Corporation Berhad.

The client is the Finance Ministry. The plant will have a capacity of 500-600MW by the summer of 2010.

By 2011, this will be increased to 1,000-2,000MW and 48 million gallons a day of desalinated water (MEED 20:11:07).