Gulf Construction Online - UK specialist wins major contracts

Power Generation

UK specialist wins major contracts

The Middle East is proving to be an increasingly important market for UK-based PB Power, with six new projects spread across the region.

01 SEPTEMBER 2001

Six new projects in the Middle East in recent months have underscored the importance of the regional market for engineering consultant PB Power of the UK.

The projects include two important assignments in Abu Dhabi, representing a major strategic investment for the security of power supplies in the emirate. They will help to ensure a secure and reliable power distribution network for Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE.

PB Power recently completed the distribution master plan for the Mussafah Industrial City and surrounding areas and has now been appointed owner's engineer for the implementation of five 33/11 kV substations in the associated Khalifa City area.

The company has also been appointed by the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (Adwea) to develop a strategic master plan for the long-term development of the power distribution network throughout the emirate, excluding Al Ain. This includes the urgent supply and installation of power factor correction equipment.

In Oman, PB Power is providing lender's engineer services on all of the Sultanate's private power projects. These include the provision of lender's engineer services pre- and post-financial close on the Al Kamil independent power project. The 285 MW power station will replace local diesel generation and be inter-connected into the main Oman 132 kV electrical distribution system. The power station is based on three GE frame 9E gas turbines operating in simple cycle.

Costing an estimated $142 million, it is due for completion in 2002.

The Al Kamil deal was followed by PB Power's appointment as lender's engineer for the Barka 427 MW power station in Oman, which will include 20 million gallons per day (migd) of desalination capacity.

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has also commissioned PB Power to develop a power system master plan. The PDO power system maximum demand is planned to increase from 420 MW in 2000 to 680 MW in 2005 and around 900 MW by 2010.

In Jordan, PB Power has been commissioned to provide assistance to the National Electric Power Company in conceptual engineering, specification, tender evaluation, design review, factory inspection and site supervision for the new Qatrana 400/132 kV substation and extension to the existing Amman North 400/132 kV substation, including two 400 MVA super grid transformers. This £30 million project is scheduled for completion early in 2004.

Other major ongoing projects include Shoaiba power project in Saudi Arabia, some 150 km south of Jeddah on the Red Sea coast. Stage 1, Phase 1 of this project, comprises three 367.5 MW(e) thermal power plant units and the associated 380 kV and 110 kV GIS substations and a 380 kV transmission line.

PB Power is also providing engineering services for one of the largest power stations to be built in the Middle East. Ghazlan II will satisfy the increased demand for power in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia, a rapidly expanding urban and business centre and the backbone of the Kingdom's industrial activity. PB Power is providing design review and site supervisory services for the 2,400 MW project, scheduled for completion in 2002.

The company was also owner's engineer on the recently-completed $2 billion 2,400 MW power station at Sabiya in Kuwait, which has the capacity to supply electricity to 750,000 homes.