Oman Electricity Transmission Company has invited companies to submit bids for the contract to build a gas insulated substation (GIS) at the Mahada grid station in northern Oman.

The work will involve replacing an existing outdoor 132kV switchyard with an indoor 132kV GIS at the northern grid station. Contractors have until 17 June to submit bids for the tender.

The project is part of the sultanate’s efforts to upgrade and expand its electricity infrastructure. In February, the local Mazoon Electricity Company received bids for three contracts to build substations in the Batinah governorate.

Eleven firms submitted bids for the first contract, which involves building a 33/11kV primary substation, and 33kV incoming and 11kV outgoing feeders in north Batinah. The local Civil Contracting Company submitted the lowest price of RO3.45m ($9m). The second-lowest price of RO3.48m was submitted by the local Rukun al-Yaqeen International.

The second contract is for a primary substation, and 33kV incoming and 11kV outgoing feeders in south Batinah. The electricity provider received bids from 13 contractors for the deal. The lowest price of RO2.1m was submitted by Rukun al-Yaqeen International. This was marginally lower than the RO2.2m bid submitted by the local Al-Jood Trading & Contracting. The local Bahwan Engineering submitted a price of RO2.4m.