The tender calls for the addition of eight units of 50-80 MW each at Tabuk and Jeddah power plants. Although the units are to be fired by crude and diesel oil, there must be provision for a switch to gas burning at a later date. Saudi Aramcois working on a project to bring more natural gas to the Western Region for use in power and petrochemical projects. The deadline for submission of bids is 29 June. Power sector sources say they also expect tenders to be issued soon for the expansion of Rafah and Arar power plants in the Eastern Province.

SEC has recently embarked upon a number of projects to upgrade its transmission and distribution facilities in both the Western Region and the Eastern Province. The work comes as the company separates its generation, transmission and distribution operations.