Ten international contractors have been prequalified to bid by 5 December for the expansion of the Hidd power and desalination complex. The Hidd phase two contract, scheduled to be awarded by the Ministry of Electricity & Water (MEW) in the second quarter of 2001, calls for the installation of 630 MW of new generating capacity (MEED 25:8:00).

Prequalifiers have been requested to propose the optimum configuration for the plant and have been given the option to offer a combined cycle solution or a steam turbine conventional plant. MEW has set two conditions on the tender - that the turbines offered should be in the range of 140-MW and 270-MW in size; and that the plant arrangement should be capable of producing sufficient steam for the addition of 60 million gallons a day (g/d) of multi-stage flash (MSF) desalination capacity at a future date.

Bidders have also been requested to submit two proposals, covering payment on a cash basis and a financed offer. It has been left up to the contractors to propose the most appropriate type of financing package.

MEW is aiming to have the first power from the phase two development commissioned by early 2003. The last unit is scheduled to come on stream by the summer of 2004.

The existing Hidd complex consists of two 140-MW gas turbines and four 7.5 million-g/d desalination units. The phase two project will boost the state's installed generating capacity of 1,260 MW by 30 per cent. The consultant for the phase two project is ESB International of Ireland.

Hidd phase two prequalifiers

Alstom Power of Europe

Ansaldo Energia of Italy

China State Power Corporation

Enelpower of Italy

Hanjung of South Korea

Hitachi Corporation with Sumitomo Corporation, both of Japan

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) with Itochu Corporation, both of Japan

Nissho Iwai Corporation of Japan

Siemens of Germany

Toshiba Corporation with Mitsui & Company, both of Japan