Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has delayed the deadline for bids on the 1,700MW Rabigh 2 power project from 6 October to 21 October.

The deadline extension is understood to be at the request of at least one potential bidder after Ramadan and summer holidays coincided to leave a long period of subdued business activity.

SEC prequalified 14 companies to bid for the project, which will involve building an independent power plant (IPP) at Rabigh. Sources close to the project say about four or five consortiums are expected to submit bids for the deal.