Two utility projects, totally valued at $450 million, will be up for bidding in Ras Al Khaimah soon, a statement said.

The power tender will be an initial tender to supply 20 MW of solar power, said Utico, the local private utility responsible for floating the tenders.

A separate tender for the water project will focus on the supply of approximately 22 million gallons of water per day.

The projects will be located at various strategic locations in Ras Al Khaimah. It is anticipated that the emirate will require more than 100 million gallons of water in the coming years in view of its strategic location and growing demand for water, it said.

A top Utico official said that the opening of the tenders to all companies in the region and beyond will enable other developers and technology providers to participate in projects in a profitable and sustainable manner.

The tenders follow the recent initiative taken by the RAK Sewage Authority for privatising the emirate’s sewerage services. Several international companies participated in the tender.

There will also be further tenders worth millions of dollars for transmission and distribution, storage tanks, and pumping stations in the coming months. Major tenders will also be out once the construction of the $550 million clean coal power project gets underway early next year, the statement said.

The project is the first of its kind in the world, and once complete, will generate of over 270 MW power. TUV Nord of Germany recently completed the environment impact assessment of the project, a key necessity for its construction.

More IWPP projects will be discussed at length during the upcoming second Global IWPP (Independent Water and Power Projects) Summit, set to take place in Ras Al Khaimah from November 24-26. The summit is being held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and is being organised by Fleming Gulf.

The summit will discuss the challenges, issues and opportunities in the independent power and water sector in the Gulf region. The three-day event once again brings together policy makers, top utility leaders, ministries and technology leaders in the business community to share their vision in order to establish the initiatives required for the right solution.  – TradeArabia News Service