Al-Hassan was low bidder for the work, scheduled for completion in about 18 months, when five companies submitted bids in late 2003. The contract calls for the supply and installation of a 220-kV substation at Al-Wasit, the extension of an existing 132-kV substation at Buraimi and supply and installation of a 65-kilometre transmission line from Al-Wasit to Al-Ain. Belgrade-based Energoprojektis the consultant and the client is the Ministry of Housing, Electricity & Water (MEED 21:11:03).

Linkage of the UAE and Omani grids is the second phase of the GCC interconnection plan, while the first phase, costing an estimated $1,200 million, will connect the grids of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Dammam-based GCC Interconnection Authority is overseeing the first-phase project, for which contract awards are due in late 2004/early 2005 (MEED 14:5:04).