RPT-China's Huaneng Power top bidder for Tuas-sources

(Repeating story that ran late on Thursday, with no change to text)

KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 (Reuters) -- China's Huaneng Power (0902.HK: Quote, Profile, Research) has emerged as the top bidder to buy electricity generator Tuas Power, which is being sold by Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings [TEM.UL], but a final contract is yet to be signed, two sources told Reuters.

Huaneng offered S$4.2 billion ($3.04 billion) for the firm, a banking source close to the deal told Reuters, beating the closest other bidders Bahrain's Arcapita and India's GMR Infrastructure (GMRI.BO: Quote, Profile, Research).

Huaneng has to finalise with Temasek how it would fulfil payments and other conditions, with a deal possible as early as late Friday, a source close to the deal told Reuters.

Several potential bidders such as Malaysia's Tanjong (TJPL.KL: Quote, Profile, Research) and Li Ka-shing's Hongkong Electric (0006.HK: Quote, Profile, Research) withdrew from the final bidding, bankers said.

Tuas has a total electricity generating capacity of 2,670 MW and is the first of three power firm Temasek is selling as part of the city-state's plan to liberalise its energy market.

Temasek declined to comment on the list of final bidders. (Reporting by Saeed Azhar, editing by Neil Chatterjee)