The Algerian gas and electricity company (CEEG) has invited companies to build a 250MW power plant in the Wilaya of Batna, located in northern Algeria.

The work will involve designing, engineering, providing equipment and installing a gas turbine plant in Batna. Companies have until 22 April to submit bids for the tender.

The project is part of Algeria’s efforts to add more than 8,000MW of power generation capacity between 2015 and 2017.

The US’ General Electric (GE) recently submitted the low bid for an estimated $2bn contract to provide turbines for six new power plants and the construction of a turbine manufacturing facility.

The programme is designed to meet rapidly rising local power consumption. The country suffered widespread blackouts in July 2012, when demand reached a record peak of 9,463MW. Peak demand is expected to reach up to 15,000MW by 2017.