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Bahrain completes Sitra IWPP prequalification

24 March 2025

 

Bahrain’s Electricity & Water Authority (EWA) is understood to have concluded the prequalification process for bidders that may bid for a contract to develop and operate the state’s fourth independent water and power project (IWPP).

The Sitra IWPP is a combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant that is expected to have a production capacity of about 1,200MW of electricity. The project’s seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination facility will have a production capacity of 30 million imperial gallons a day (MIGD) of potable water.

EWA received the statements of qualifications (SOQs) from interested firms in December 2024.

The nine companies that submitted SOQs were:

  • Al-Jomaih Energy & Water Company (Saudi Arabia)
  • Gulf Investment Corporation (Kuwait)
  • China Machinery Engineering Corporation (China)
  • Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco, South Korea)
  • Acwa Power (Saudi Arabia)
  • Jera (Japan)
  • Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa, UAE)
  • Alghanim International General Trading & Contracting Company (foreign branch, Kuwait)
  • Sumitomo Corporation (Japan)

While the prequalification process is understood to have been completed, EWA has yet to disclose the list of firms that can participate in the bidding stage. 

The integrated plant will replace the previously planned Al-Dur 3 IWPP. 

It will be developed on a brownfield site and strategically located in Sitra “to ensure resource efficiency and service delivery”. It is expected to be fully operational by the second quarter of 2029.

MEED previously reported that the client intends to float the tender for the Sitra IWPP to prequalified utility developers by May 2025. 

The state utility is procuring Bahrain’s first independent water project in Al-Hidd, along with the Sitra IWPP.

The Al-Hidd SWRO plant is expected to have a production capacity of about 60 MIGD of potable water.

The two build, own and operate (BOO) projects will be procured under a public-private partnership framework for 20-25 years.

Sixty representatives from utility developers and contracting firms attended a market-sounding event in Manama on 21 October for the two separate utility BOO projects.

EWA’s transaction advisory team for both schemes comprises KPMG Fakhro as the financial consultant, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff as the technical consultant and Trowers & Hamlins as the legal consultant.

Bahrain’s first three IWPPs are Al-Dur 1, Al-Hidd and Al-Dur 2.

MEED understands that EWA’s Sitra IWPP will likely be Bahrain’s last CCGT plant project. Solar power is expected to account for all future electricity generation capacity.

Bahrain aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.

READ THE MARCH MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

Chinese contractors win record market share; Cairo grapples with political and fiscal challenges; Stronger upstream project spending beckons in 2025

Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the March 2025 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

> GULF PROJECTS INDEX: Gulf hits six-month growth streak
To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
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Jennifer Aguinaldo

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