Bids were originally due to be submitted on 30 September (MEED 5:9:08).

Four companies have been prequalified for the project to build the 100MW plant, the largest solar plant in the world.

The prequalified companies are Cobra, Iberdrola and Abengoa Solar, all Spanish; and a team of Germany’s Man Ferrostaal and Solar Millennium.

In neighbouring Dubai, eight companies have submitted bids for the feasibility study for the emirate’s first solar power plant project. Dubai Electricity & Water Authority is expected to award the contract in February 2009 (MEED 13:8:09).