Four local contractors bid between US$28.4 million and US$34 million in January 2026 for EWA's nine 66 kV substations, a programme MEED had estimated at US$110 million. Al-Kooheji Electrical, whose commercial bid was the highest at US$34 million, was reported in July 2026 as the contractor.
Nine substations over three years
The substations are due in stages: two in 2026, four in 2027 and three in 2028. Serbia's Energoprojekt Entel was appointed consultant in April 2025 for about US$460,000. No announcement had confirmed the first two as energised by 7 November 2026.
The Sitra grid goes to global manufacturers
The 400 kV works linking the planned Sitra power and desalination plant have gone to international equipment makers. Siemens Energy won the Sitra 400 kV substation in September 2025 for BD48.1 million (US$127 million). Hitachi Energy took the transformer and reactor works for BD17.8 million (US$47.1 million). For the feeder cables, Iljin Electric bid lowest at BD35 million (US$92.7 million); MEED reported on 19 October 2026 that a contractor was understood to be appointed but did not name it.
What comes next
The Sitra plant itself, at least 1,200 MW with 30 MIGD of desalination, drew two bids, and an award is expected by end-2026. Separately, the Hawar intake and outfall package was retendered, with new bids due 21 October 2026.
Which EWA programmes are open, emerging or strategic, how the authority buys, and which supplier categories should come first are set out in the brief. The full report, Electricity and Water Authority: Utility Account Brief, is available for USD 499. For a free overview, read the Electricity and Water Authority Utility Snapshot.