The consortium's main challenger was Paris-based Alstom, which was the low bidder at AED 637 million ($173 million) when Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) opened prices on 5 September. However, Alstom's bid was judged to be non-compliant. The extension involves the installation of three single-cycle gas turbines at the site, which has existing capacity of 607 MW. The project consultant is the UK's Mott MacDonald.

On completion of the H station expansion, DEWA's installed generating capacity will reach 5,100 MW. Further investment is planned by the utility in generation, as it seeks to meet double-digit growth in annual electricity demand (see page 22).

The transmission and distribution division of Siemens is also in line to take a major DEWA contract, covering the construction of six 132-kV substations across the emirate. The six were part of the 13-substation tender issued by DEWA in the summer, and which the client has subsequently decided to split. The local Emirates Electrical Engineeringis set to win a further three substations under the programme, while the remaining four are likely to be retendered at a later date, possibly as part of another 10-15 132-kV substation programme planned by DEWA in 2005 (MEED 13:8:04).

www.meed.com/powerwater