Oman Power and Water Company (OPWP) has extended the deadline for technical qualification submissions from developers to build a 1,500MW independent power project (IPP) at Sur.

Developers now have until 27 December for technical submissions for the scheme, an extension of the previous deadline of 30 November. OPWP has also adjusted the final bid submission date from 5 March to 7 March.

A total of 29 companies recieved the request for proposals (RFP) before the deadline for purchasing the document passed.

Developers have until 18 October to respond to the request for qualification (RFQ). The companies that are prequalified to bid for the project are expected to be notified by 17 November.

The winning bidder will bring 400MW power capacity online by the summer of 2013 to help the country meet its peak demand during the hot months. Full commissioning is scheduled for completion by the following summer.

The companies that purchased the RFP are:

• Marubeni Corporation (Japan)
• Mitsui & Co (Japan)
• ACWA Power International (Saudi Arabia)
• Siemens (Germany)
• Saudi Oger (Saudi Arabia)
• Sojitz Corporation (Japan)
• AES Oasis (US)
• Sembcorp (Singapore)
• Wartsila (Finland)
• Consolidated Contractors Company (Athens-based)
• Suez Tractebel (Belgium)
• Mubadala (UAE)
• Jindal Power (India)
• Taqa Arabia (Egypt)
• Tata (India)
• Lanco (India)
• IL & FS Energy Development Company (India)
• Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (UAE)
• International Power (UK)
• Al Hassan Engineering Company (Oman)
• Tokyo Electric Power Company (Japan)
• Sinohydro Corporation (China)
• Itochu Corporation (Japan)
• International Free Company (Iraq)
• Procomon & Asociados (Panama)
• Enka (Turkey)
• Posco (South Korea)
• General Electric (US)
• Ozaltin Construction (Turkey)

OPWP had originally intended to build an independent water and power project (IWPP) at Al-Ghubrah to take advantage of existing infrastructure in the area and allow the older plant at the site to be retired. Due to environmental impact issues associated with the Al-Ghubrah site and its proximity to residential areas in Muscat, OPWP decided to cancel the Al-Ghubrah IWPP in favour of a facility at Sur.

Sur is located south of the capital on the coastline and offers a large area, which is ready for construction and access to an existing pipeline that feeds the Oman LNG plant operating on the outskirts of the site. Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) is already implementing projects to reinforce the transmission system around Sur, which will allow power to be exported to the Main Interconnected System.

The advisory team that was selected to work on the shelved Al-Ghubrah plant was transferred to the Sur IPP in July. Ernst & Young, DLA Piper, British Power International and Glen House Capital Strategies, all from the UK, are now consultants on the Sur project.