The bureau, which was created by emiri decree in 2008, is now requesting consultants to bid for the contract by 10 November, rather than 27 October.

The delay comes in response to requests from consultants. “The bid needs to be prepared as a team, which requires co-ordination between the consortium partners,” says one consultant.

The project will comprise a combined-cycle or thermal power plant with a capacity of 1,500MW of power, and a 100-million-gallon-a-day (g/d) desalination plant.

The winning adviser will carry out financial, technical and legal due diligence on the project, and prepare a two-stage feasibility study to determine the best structure for the scheme.

The study will also decide on a final site for the project, for which Al-Zour has previously been put forward as a potential location.

During the first phase, the adviser will outline the scope of the study, which the bureau will present to the Higher Committee of Public Private Partnerships for approval. If approved, and if the Electricity & Water Ministry decides to go ahead with the project, the adviser will then proceed with the second phase of the feasibility study.

This will involve issuing the request for proposals and then evaluating the responses.