Fauji Electric Power Company (Fepco) expects to reach a decision during March on the bids for the construction of a 330-350-MW thermal power plant in Baluchistan. Bids have been submitted by 17 international consortiums.

The contract is for the design, construction and commissioning of the plant on a turnkey basis. The successful bidder will be expected to arrange export and supplier credits and may offer equity participation. Construction work began on the project in early 1995. However, the original contractor pulled out, industry sources say.

The steam turbines will burn residual fuel oil and heating fuel oil. The estimated cost is $475 million.