Qatar state utility General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has tendered a contract to upgrade the Ras Laffan C substation.

The scope of work covers the upgrade of existing 220-kilovolt (kV) and 400kV substations and the addition of 220kV gas-insulated switchgear bays and an 800-megavolt amps transformer.

Kahramaa issued the tender on 15 October and expects to receive bids by 28 November.

The project bid bond is valued at QR1.5m ($410,000).

Separately, Kahramaa invited firms to submit their proposals for a contract to supply and install power transmission and distribution equipment, including providing and connecting substation main earth and equipment earthing, commissioning fitted substations and pre-commissioning protection testing for 11kV switchgear panels.

Kahramaa expects to receive bids for this contract, with a bid bond of QR3m, by 14 November.

Kahramaa is expanding its power generation capacity. Negotiations are under way with the sole bidder led by Japan's Sumitomo Corporation for a contract to develop and operate Qatar’s Facility E independent water and power producer (IWPP) project.

The Facility E IWPP scheme will have a power generation capacity of 2,300MW and a water desalination capacity of 100 million imperial gallons a day.

Earlier this month, Qatar Electricity & Water Company announced plans to develop a 500MW peak power unit in Qatar's Ras Abu Fontas area.

Construction is also under way for two solar farms with a total combined capacity of 875MW in Mesaieed and Ras Laffan.