However, it is unclear how many companies bid for the consultancy work when the bids were submitted on 7 September.

The prospective bidders were Bechtel, CH2M Hill, Fluor with Sargent & Lundy, all of the US, UK-based PB Power, and Australia's WorleyParsons. The contract is due to be awarded by the end of 2008.

Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) is the client. The body was set up earlier this year to oversee the country’s nuclear programme. The location, number and size of the plants it will develop has yet to be decided.

Abu Dhabi is expected to take the lead on the project, which means the plant is likely to be located in the emirate or in Fujairah (MEED 15:8:08).