The request for proposals (RFP) was issued on 1 November for the Barka/Rusayl brownfield independent water and power project (IWPP). Seven prequalified developers have been invited to submit bids by 27 March by the client, the National Economy Ministry.

The project involves the acquisition from the government of the existing 668-MW Rusayl plant and the construction of a greenfield plant at Barka. The RFP calls for the Barka plant to have capacity of 500-700 MW, with the exact size likely to be confirmed in December, and 30 million gallons a day of desalination capacity. First power is due in April 2008 and the plant is due to reach full capacity a year later. Under the IWPP tendering schedule, the ministry aims to select a preferred bidder in June, sign the key project agreements in July and issue the final notice to proceed for the Barka project in early November. For Rusayl, a sales and purchase agreement is due to be signed in September.

The advisory team on the project consists of ABN Amro, the UK's Black & Veatch Consultingand Berwin Leighton Paisner(MEED 12:8:05).

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