Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has signed a new deal worth US$3.4bn with South Koreas Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction to build a 2,555 MW power plant at Rabigh.

Abu Dhabi will commission a 1,500 MW power plant in 2011. Building of the Shuwaihat-2 power plant will be followed up with the construction of a 1,600 MW power plant in the same area towards the end of 2011. The second power plant will reportedly cost around US$1.5 billion to build, and bids for the project are already being evaluated.

Middle east countries are embarking on a massive power and electricity investment programme over the next five years to significantly expand the regions power generation and secure stable power supplies for the future.

Three Turkish companies have been awarded important contracts in Iraq to install 20 gas-powered turbines in three power generating stations, the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity announced recently.