The scope of works for the lump sum turnkey contract covers the supply and installation of a transmission line running from Tripoli to Sirte and Ajdabiya to Benghazi. A 250-kilometre branch line will also be built from Sirte to Hun, north of Sabha. Gecol has also shortlisted companies for the contract to build three gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) substations for the network. They include Germany's Siemens, Europe's ABBand France's Alstom.

An award for both packages is expected once Gecol has selected a prime contracting team for the Gulf Steam project. However, Gecol may consider splitting the transmission line contract into three separate 500-kilometre packages.

For Gulf Steam, Italy's Enelpower, with Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Alstom, with Athens-based Joannou & Paraskevaides (J&P - Overseas), have been invited to submit final prices by 9 February. The scope of works covers the construction of a four-turbine steam power plant with two 10,000-cubic-metre multi-effect distillation units. Total project costs are expected to exceed $1,000 million (MEED 21:12:01).

Gecol is planning to invest $1,000 million in developing and upgrading its 400-kV network. Its transmission system masterplan calls for the commissioning of eight new GIS substations and up to 4,000 kilometres of overhead lines by 2010.