The bid deadline on the estimated $900 million water transmission scheme in the western region has been extended by almost two months to 27 March. The extension was granted by the client, Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), to enable more companies to prequalify for the project.

The extension is in line with the revised bidding schedule on the planned Shouaiba independent water and power project (IWPP), which - along with the existing Shouaiba desalination complex - will provide water to the conveyor and distribute it to different cities and locations in the west (MEED 10:12:04).

The contractors prequalified by SWCC to bid for the construction works are the local Al-Rashid Trading & Contracting, Italy's Saipem, Turkey's Tekfenand the German office of Paris-based Technip. Prequalified companies are expected to form consortia to bid either for one or more of the packages.

A site visit has been set for 6-7 February. Austria's ILF Consulting Engineersis the consultant on the scheme.