The other bidders are GE Power Systemsof the US, and a Japanese team of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)with Tomen Corporation. The gas turbine contracts on the previous two schemes in the crash power programme, Cairo North 2 and Nuberiya, were awarded to GE and MHI/Tomen respectively. All three groups have also submitted bids for the gas turbine package on the 750-MW combined cycle project at Kureimat, which is running four- to-six weeks behind the tendering schedule for Talkha (MEED 28:3:04).

The government in mid-July signed $225 million in concessionary loans for the Talkha project, shortly before three bids were submitted for the estimated $25 million-30 million civil works package. Bids are under evaluation.