Germany's Lahmeyer Internationalis the engineering consultant on the scheme, which will be Sudan's largest source of power generation (MEED 22:3:02).

Seven international companies have been prequalified to bid for the civil works, which have been divided into three packages covering the dam's left and right banks and the power island.

Four bidding groups have been prequalified to bid for all three packages. They are: China International Water & Electricwith China National Water Resources & Hydropower Engineering Corporation; Vinci Construction Grands Projetsof France with Egypt's Orascom Construction Industries; Italy's Impregilo; and the Austrian arm of Germany's Strabag.

The remaining three companies are eligible to bid for two packages, the left and right bank civil works. They are: Salini Costruttoriof Italy; Societa Italiana per Condotte d'Acquaof Italy; and Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC)with South Africa's Grinaker-LTA.

Funding for the estimated $550 million civil works is being provided by four Arab development agencies. They are the Arab Fund for Economic & Social Development, the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and the Abu Dhabi Development Fund.

At least five international companies have been prequalified to bid for the electrical and mechanical package, which is estimated to cost at least $600 million. The package covers the supply of 10 125-MW hydroelectric turbines and equipment for the power transmission system. It is understood that companies bidding for the electrical and mechanical package will need to submit their own financing proposals.

The 520-metre-long concrete dam will be located north of Khartoum on the fourth cataract of the Nile. Construction is set to begin in early 2003 and is expected to be completed in 2008.