Two consortia - China International Water & Electric Corporationwith China National Water Resources & Hydropower Engineering Corporationand a joint venture of Salini Costruttoriof Italy and Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC)- are competing for the civil works package, which is being funded by four Arab development agencies. According to the bid opening prices, the Chinese venture has quoted a price of Eur 549 million ($583 million) and the Salini/CCC group, after discount, has quoted Eur 622 million ($661 million). A contract award is expected by May.

Contractors are preparing to submit bids for the electrical/mechanical and transmission packages by 30 March and 31 March respectively. Five international groups are prequalified to bid for the two packages, which have a combined value of at least $600 million. Companies from China, Europe and Japan are expected to bid for the work. Bidders are required to submit their own financing proposals.

The 520-metre long, 1,500-MW hydroelectric dam will be located near the Nile's fourth cataract, some 210 kilometres north of Khartoum. Construction is due to be completed in 2008.

Germany's Lahmeyer Internationalis the engineering consultant.