Algeria engineering contract awards raise GE hopes

Sonelgaz has awarded a trio of contracts to its subsidiaries for the implementation of a 8,400MW emergency power generation construction programme. It is now possible that an associated contract for the supply of turbines provisionally awarded to GE in February will be approved within the next two months. This progress is surprising because, since March this year, the electricity and gas utility holding company has been vigorously defending itself against corruption allegations. In May, senior managers including director general Noureddine Bouterfa were placed under judicial investigation. But it now appears that this may not hold up its plans and that a complex and potentially transformative series of contracts with GE could go ahead.