NCC and the local Arabian Bemco Contracting are the bidders for the new 1,900-MW Al-Qurayyah open cycle power plant in the Eastern Province. Commercial bids for both projects are due to be submitted soon. The work covers mechanical, electrical and civil construction of the plants at the two sites. The gas turbines for both schemes will be supplied by the US'GE Energy under a $973 million order placed by Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) last year (MEED 5:1:07).

The same order covers the provision of gas turbines for the 500-MW expansion of the Faras power plant, also in the Eastern Province. Technical bids for the plant's civils construction are due by the end of May, with commercial bids to be invited soon after.

SEC has also invited local contractors to bid by the end of April for two contracts to install an inlet air-cooling system at the Faras and Shedgum power plants.

www.meed.com/powerwater