KUWAIT CITY, Oct 29: The Central Agency for Public Tenders has rejected the request of the Ministry of Electricity and Water to award a tender to select a consultant for a project to supply, install, operate and maintain the first phase of gas turbine units operating on a combined cycle system to produce 3,600 megawatts in Nuwaiseeb due to its high cost.

The agency told Al-Seyassah daily that the single bid amounted to 13,979 million dinars, which is approximately 3.3 times the estimated value of 4,240 million.

On a parallel line, the sources revealed that the refusal to award the tender brings the situation to square on after an effort and a marathon of procedures that extended for more than two years between the ministry and the agency.

The sources said the tender will be floated again and with new procedures that will take a longer time.

The sources pointed out that the tender is the first step to implementing the important project according to the ministry’s plan, which is expected to be commercially operated between 2028-2029 to produce 75 million imperial gallons of water, in addition to electricity.

By Mohammed Ghanem

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff