Cairo Electricity Production Company (CEPC) has opened technical bids on a number of key works packages on its project to build a 700-MW steam power plant at El-Tebbine. An award is expected imminently for the steam generator package on the scheme.

Technical offers from three groups for the plant?s civil works package were opened in late October. Bids were submitted by: the local Orascom Construction Industries, with Belgium?s Besix; the local Misr & Sons Development, with Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC); and the local Petrojet, with Geneva-registered Archirodon Construction (Overseas). Financial offers are expected to be opened in early January with an award to follow in April.

Technical offers have also been opened for the package to supply and install the steam generators. Three groups submitted offers: the US? Foster Wheeler, with Italy?s Techint; Hitachi Corporation with Sumitomo Corporation, both of Japan; and Italy?s Ansaldo Energia. Financial offers are scheduled to be opened in late December with an award also expected to come in April.

Six international companies have already submitted bids for the plant?s switchyard package ahead of the 13 November deadline. They include Germany?s Siemens, South Korea?s Hyundai Heavy Industries, Europe?s ABB, France?s Areva T&D, South Korea?s Hyo Sung and a joint submission from Sumitomo and Hitachi. The package covers the supply and installation of a 220-kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), a 66-kV switchyard and 220-kV transformers.

Bids are also due on 5 November for the contract to build a circulating water pump system for the plant. Five international companies bought tender documents: Italy-based Ebara, Japan?s Torishima Pump, South Korea?s Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hydrotech and TMP, both UK-based. An award is expected by mid-May.

CEPC expects to issue a shortlist for the contract to carry out electro-mechanical works by February 2007 with an award due in October 2007. Four international companies submitted prequalification applications in August. They are Spain?s Initec Energia, Czech Republic-based Skoda Praha and Techint and Sadelmi, also of Italy (MEED 25:08:06).