EIB pushes back bid deadline for technical advisory on GCDP
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has pushed back the deadline for bids for the technical advisory role on the Gaza Central Desalination Plant and Associated Works Programme (GCDP). The project, which has a total cost of €580.3 million ($636 million) and is backed by a DBOM concession, is being financed through DFIs and a selection of governments, with debt totalling €460.2 million by August 2019.
Bids from consultancy firms were initially due on 6 March, but are now set for 16 July. The successful bidding firm will sign a three-year €4.8 million agreement to support the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) during the procurement, design, construction and commissioning phases of the GDCP. The EIB’s technical adviser for the project is German Fichtner.
The project's operations and maintenance agreements have a five-year term and will benefit from a €46 million operational subsidiary. A five-year extension option is also on offer.
The main components of GCDP, which was fully secured and approved by the World Bank in February, are a 5MW rooftop solar PV, a 26-30MW of dual-fuel diesel and natural gas-fired power plant and 161,000 cubic metres per day seawater reverse osmosis desal plant at Deir Al-Balah. The programme is expected to be implemented between January 2022 and December 2029.
