Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) has shortlisted developers for a 250MW wind farm project and will announce which companies it has prequalified in early November.

About 90 companies bought prequalification documents and 34 companies applied to prequalify for the scheme. It will be the country’s first private wind farm.

The prequalified bidders will take a year to carry out a study of the site. This includes wind measurements, environmental impact assessments and soil testing, either individually or as part of a group of bidders.

In parallel to its search for a developer, EETC is now evaluating bids for a consultancy services contract on the project. A total of 18 companies have bid for the work.

“They will make an award very soon,” says Hafez el-Salmawy, managing director of the Egyptian Electric Utility & Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency, Egypt’s electricity regulator.

The consultant will prepare the request for proposals which EETC will send to the prequalified developers. The winning consultant will also draft an agreement for EETC to buy the power produced by the wind farm and help the utility select a developer to build the farm.

The winning developer will build, own and operate the farm on the Gulf of Suez between Zaafarana and Hurghada. EETC will buy the output of the wind farm under a 20-25 year power-purchase agreement. The farm is due to begin producing electricity in late 2013 or early 2014.