Bahrain’s Electricity & Water Authority (EWA) has moved the last day for interested companies to submit their statements of qualifications (SOQs) for a contract to develop the state’s fourth independent water and power project (IWPP).

The Sitra IWPP is a combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant, which 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.

According to industry sources, EWA moved the last day for SOQ submissions from 11 to 25 December.

The integrated plant replaces the previously planned Al-Dur 3 IWPP. It is expected to be fully operational by the second quarter of 2029.

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 (IWP) 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 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 for the two separate utility build, own and operate (BOO) projects in Manama on 21 October.

The firms that sent representatives to the event in Manama include France’s Engie, Japan’s Mitsui, Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power, AlJomaih Electricity & Water Company and Ajlan & Bros, and Kuwait’s Gulf Investment Corporation, among others, said sources.

EWA’s transaction advisory team 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.