The project involves the development of a single-shaft combined cycle gas turbine power plant. The contract comprises a 26-month engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) element and a renewable 10-year operation and maintenance (O&M) phase.

The EPC element calls for the installation of a gas turbine, a steam turbine, a heat recovery steam generator and auxiliaries. It also covers the installation of a gas-insulated switchgear substation, with auxiliaries to transmit electricity from Ghannouch towards Bouchemma, and the expansion of Bouchemma substation. Work is due to begin on 1 November.

The client is state power company Societe Tunisienne du l'Electricite & de Gaz (STEG). STEG has applied for a loan from the European Investment Bank towards the funding of the project. The expansion of the country's power generating capacity is part of the government's plans to address rising electricity demand, which since 2000 has been growing at an average of 7 per cent a year. Current generating capacity in the country is about 2,100 MW.