EWA has received bids for a contract on the development of the proposed Sitra IWPP. The bidders are: • Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa), • Acwa of Saudi Arabia. Financials will be opened only after the technical element has been approved by a tender Board. (June 2026)

• Bahrain’s Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) has announced the pre-qualification process for developers to participate in the upcoming tender for the Sitra Independent Water and Power Plant (IWPP). The Statement of Qualification (SoQ) applications are to be submitted by 11 December, 2024. (November 2024)

• Bahrain’s EWA has announced the names of firms submitting the pre-qualification documents to participate in the upcoming tender for the Sitra IWPP. The firms who have expressed interest are: Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), Acwa Power of Saudi Arabia, Africa Management Company, Al Jomaih Energy and Water Company of Saudi Arabia, AlGhanim International General Trading and Contracting (Overseas branch), China Machinery Engineering Corp, Gulf Investment Corporation of Kuwait, Jera Middle East, Korea Electric Power Corp (Kepco), Sumitomo of Japan. (January 2025)

• EWA has pre-qualified companies for the development of the proposed Sitra IWPP. The pre-qualified firms are: Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), Acwa Power of Saudi Arabia, Al Jomaih Energy and Water Company of Saudi Arabia, AlGhanim International General Trading and Contracting (Overseas branch), China Machinery Engineering Corp, Gulf Investment Corporation of Kuwait, Jera Middle East, Korea Electric Power Corp (Kepco), Sumitomo of Japan. (January 2025)
• EWA has received proposal from Siemens Energy LLC for the Establishment of New 400kV Grid Substation in Sitra Industrial Area associated with new IWPP. Its bid value is BHD 58.7 million. The 400kV Substation Switchgear, Systems & Civil Works is one of the project work packages intended to be executed through international limited tender. The scope of this tender includes design, manufacturing, supply, transportation, erection, testing and commissioning of 400kV Grid substation includes 400kV GIS, 220kV GIS, 21kV switchgear, Control, Protection and ICS, Telecom systems and associated substation cabling etc. also includes Civil works of the substation and associated building services including CCTV and Electronic Access Control systems. It also includes the work related to interface with the new IWPP. (January 2025)
• EWA has launched an international tender for the development of the proposed Sitra IWPP. The project, set to be developed on a Build, Own, and Operate (BOO) basis, will have a power generation capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW) and sea water desalination capacity of 30 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD). The operational testing phase and initial commercial operation of 600 MW of electricity and 30 MIGD of water are expected to begin in Q2, 2028, with the full commercial operation of the plant scheduled for Q2, 2029. (September 2025)
• Bahrain’s EWA has awarded a sub-contract worth BHD 48.1 million to Siemens Energy for the establishment of New 400kV Grid Substation in Sitra Industrial Area. The substation will be associated with a new Sitra Independent Water and Power Plant (IWPP). The scope of the contract covers design, manufacturing, supply, transportation, erection, testing and commissioning of 400kV Grid substation including 400kV GIS, 220kV GIS, 21kV switchgear, Control, Protection and ICS, Telecom systems and associated substation cabling etc. It also includes Civil works of the substation and associated building services including CCTV and Electronic Access Control systems. It also includes the work related to interface with the new IWPP. (October 2025)
• EWA has received bids for the consultancy services for the implementation of the Water Transmission Projects associated with New Sitra IWPP and Hidd IWP. The bidders are: AECOM Middle East Limited Foreign Branches Company, AYESA BL Ireland International Limited – Bahrain, Consolidated Engineering Company Khatib & Alami Foreign Branch Company, Energoprojekt Entel A.D. Beograd, Tebodin Middle East Ltd. AYESA has submitted the lowest bid price of BHD 476,293.774 ($1.26 million). (November 2025)
• The EWA has received bids for the contract to develop 400kV and 220kV feeder cable works as part of the New Sitra Grid Substation project. The bidders are: Iljin Electric with a bid offer of BD 35,004,118 bid, Taihan Electric Wire with BD 45,648,300, LS Cable and System with bid offer of BD 46,659,986. The project aims to facilitate the integration of the new power station and ensure interconnection with the existing 400kV and 220kV networks. (April 2026)
• The EWA has received bids for the contract on transformer and reactor works tendered under the Sitra 400kV Grid Substations project. The bidders are: Germany’s Siemens Energy – BHD 23.87 million ($63.26 million), Switzerland’s Hitachi Energy Technologies – BHD17.77 million ($47.09 million). The scope covers design, manufacture, supply, transport, installation, testing and commissioning of three 400kV, 500 MVA power transformers and reactors. (April 2026)
• The EWA has extended the bids submission deadline for the development of the proposed Sitra IWPP. Bids are now due to be submitted by 17 May, 2026, extended from the previous deadline of March 2026. (May 2026)