The seven prequalified groups are: the local Acwapower, with Itochu Corporation, Marubeni Corporationand JGC Corporation, all of Japan; the UK's International Power, with Saudi Oger; Korea Electric Power Company (Kepco), with the local Xenel Industries; Japan's Mitsui & Company, with the local National Power Company; Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation; Sumitomo Corporation, also of Japan; and Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco).

Aramco and Japan's Sumitomo Chemical Company are the joint sponsors of the Rabigh project, which will see the construction of a petrochemicals complex and an expansion of the existing refinery (MEED 15:10:04).

The Rabigh scheme is the third private power project out to bid. Proposals are due by the revised 5 March closing date for the Shouaiba IWPP, which is being promoted by Water & Electricity Company (WEC). Three consortia are expected to bid the scheme, which will have capacity to produce 650-900 MW of power and 194 million gallons a day (g/d) of water. Bids for the Jubail IWPP are now due on 28 February; the Power & Water Utilities Company for Jubail & Yanbu (Marafiq) project will have capacity of 2,400 MW and 79 million g/d.