IPDC says Mapna has won the final evaluation of bids based on the supply of 18 160-MW units. The contract value is estimated at $700 million-750 million. Mapna's partners in the project are Germany's Siemens, Italy's Ansaldo Energiaand the local Tuga. The new units are to be installed at Rey, Fars, Qain and Urumiya power stations.

The contract selection process for this project was somewhat delayed over the course of 2003 because the 250-MW units had not been used before. IPDC has now taken the decision to press ahead with the capacity expansion and devote its study of larger units to the next project. The company says work will start on planning the next 3,000 MW in the fourth quarter. The consultant for both projects is the local Ghods Niroo.