Fourteen international pump manufacturers and equipment suppliers in joint ventures are prequalified to price the contract. The prequalifiers will team up with civil contractors to supply, install, operate and maintain the proposed new pumps.

Called pumping plant C refurbishment, the contract involves: the supply and installation of 13 new pumps, along with motors, cabling and associated switchgears, discharge pipes, valves and manifolds; modification of the existing switchgear and associated electrical and control systems; construction of a 1.8-metre-diameter pipeline; installation of a 11-kV diesel generator; and related civil works.

The electromechanical works will be carried out on a design-build basis, while the civil works will be on a lump-sum turnkey basis. The project will take about 18-20 months to complete. The consultant is the UK's Mott MacDonald.