Specifications for the three-by-350-MW expansion are being drawn up by a team of the UK's PB Powerand Saudi Consulting Services (SaudConsult). The tender invitation is scheduled to go out to the prequalified group in the third quarter of 2002, project sources say. The contract is expected to include an option to build three more units.

The first three units were built by France's Alstom, which is now working on units 4 and 5. The first unit went into service at the start of 2001. Details on the plans for financing the new expansion have yet to be disclosed.