The bidding groups are:a developer group of US-based AES Corporation and Dubai-based AES Oasis, with South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries as its nominated engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, and Calyon providing bank support;Japan's Marubeni Corporation, with Alstom Power and Veolia Water Systems, both of France, as its nominated EPC contractor, and Standard Chartered Bank providing bank support;a developer group of Belgium's Suez Tractebel and Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Development Company, with South Korea's Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction as its EPC contractor, and HSBC and Sumitomo-Mitsui Banking Corporation as its bank group.

Two other groups - the UK's International Power with Gulf Investment Corporation, and a Japanese consortium of Sojitz Corporation and The Kansai Electric Power Company - had been expected to bid. However, both declined due to issues with their nominated EPC contractors.

The Barka 2 station calls for the construction of a 700-MW, 26 million-gallon-a-day plant. First power is due in the second quarter of 2008, with full commissioning set for a year later. In addition to the new plant, the successful bidder will also acquire the existing 668-MW Rusayl plant.

The advisory team on the IWPP consists of ABN Amro, the UK's Black & Veatch Consulting and Berwin Leighton Paisner.

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