Siemens' contract covers the construction of about 13 new substations. With the exception of the 220/132/66-kV Naeeja substation and the Umm Salal 132/66/11-kV substation, all will be 66/11-kV. In addition, the contractor will modify about nine existing substations and supply and install about 600 kilometres of cabling.

ABB's contract involves the installation of about eight 66/11-kV substations, a new 132/66/11-kV substation and an extension of the Doha north super substation. It will also carry out significant cabling work.

Kahramaa is planning to appoint an international consultant to supervise the programme and is evaluating bids from about three firms.

Further work is planned in the substation sector. Bids are under evaluation from ABB, Siemens and France's Areva T&Dfor the West Bay substation project. The contract involves the construction of two 220/66/11-kV substations, seven 66/11-kV substations and extensions to three existing 220-kV substations.

The consultant is the UK's Mott MacDonald (MEED 13:5:05).

In addition, Kahramaa is understood to have started planning for phase 7 of the Qatar transmission programme, which is expected to involve the construction of over 40 new substations.