Jordan’s National Electric Power Company (Nepco) has received three bids to build the country’s third independent power project (IPP3).

The bidders include:

• Acwa Power (Saudi Arabia)/Man Diesel & Turbo (Germany)
• Korea Electric Power Company (Kepco)/Mitsubishi Corporation (Japan)
• Saudi Oger (Saudi Arabia)/Korea East-West Power Company (South Korea)/STX (South Korea)

The following groups were prequalified in December 2010, but did not bid (MEED 10:12:11):

• AES (US)
• Malakoff International (Malaysia)/Jordan Dubai Capital (local)/Consolidated Contractors Company (Athens-based)
• Sithe Global Power Ventures (US)

The bidders were asked to propose four alternate sub-proposals. This included a proposal for the base bid at 350MW and an alternative bid at 600MW and proposals for the use of liquid fuel and combination of liquid fuel and gas for each capacity.

The selected developer will be responsible for sourcing HFO of the quality suitable for the equipment proposed. Responsibility for liquid fuel procurement (HFO or distillate) will be determined at a later stage of the tender process. Nepco intends to supply the natural gas for the project, but is not committed to doing so.

Nepco, which operates most of Jordan’s power network, will also buy the output of the plant for a period of 25 years. US-based firm K&M Engineering & Consulting is Nepco’s adviser on the project.

Nepco has also received bids to extend the country’s existing IPPs, known as IPP4. Bids were submitted by the local Central Electricity Generating Company (Cegco) and the US’ AES, the operators of Jordan’s existing IPPs.

Nepco will assess proposals submitted in both the IPP3 and IPP4 tenders and will select one proposal and award a build-own-operate (BOO) contract.

The desired commercial operation date for the plant is 2013-14.