Jordan’s National Electric Power Company (Nepco) has issued a request for proposals for a consultancy contract on a new independent power project (IPP).

The company has invited 13 prequalified consultants to bid. They are Fichtner and Lahmeyer International, both German; Belgium’s Tractebel Engineering; UK law firm Denton Wilde Sapte; PricewaterhouseCoopers, also of the UK; Kema of the Netherlands; and Ireland’s ESB International.

Nepco invited a total of six US firms to bid. They are Sargent & Lundy; Kuljian Corporation; Rothschild Consulting Group; Nexant; K&M Engineering & Consulting Co-operation; and CRA International.

The deadline for bids is 15 September.

Nepco wants to build the 400-500MW plant on a build, own, operate basis.

Consultants can propose a steam or diesel power plant, which will use heavy fuel oil as a primary fuel and natural gas as a secondary fuel. The consultant will also advise on procuring 120-200MW peaking units.

Nepco wants to locate the plant in Zarqa, near the Jordan Petroleum Refinery. It is due to begin operation in 2013 or 2014.

The IPP will follow schemes at Al-Manakher and Al-Qatrana, making it the country’s third private power project.