The shortcomings of local tender regulations and the state's failure to attract international contractors to its power and water sector were again brought into focus in late January after only one bid was received for a major contract to convert the Al-Zour south power plant into combined cycle. Germany's Siemens is the sole bidder for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to install two 250-MW steam turbines and heat recovery boilers at the 1,000-MW gas-fired plant. Local tender rules stipulate that major projects must receive at least two offers, and the Central Tenders Committee (CTC) is now likely to recommend that the project be retendered. Al-Zour South comprises eight 125-MW open cycle turbines. It was commissioned on a fast-track basis by Siemens in 2004 (MEED 13:8:04).