France’s Alstom has signed a contract for the design, supply and site advisory services for two 660MW electrostatic precipitators for the Rabigh independent power project (IPP).

Electrostatic precipitators are filtration devices used to control emissions from coal and oil-fired power plants.

The plant is due to be commissioned in 2012. The project is owned by the local Acwa Power International, Korea Electric Power Corporation and Saudi Electricity Company.

Separately, South Korea’s Hanwha Engineering & Construction has awarded Alstom a contract to engineer, supply, install and commission seawater and flue gas desulphurisation systems for the phase 5 and 6 extensions of the Yanbu power plant. The company’s technology uses seawater and air to remove 97 per cent of sulphur dioxide from the plant.