The Government is expecting a good response to the bidding invited for the two ultra mega power projects (UMPPs) in Odisha and Tamil Nadu.
Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC), the nodal agency for UMPPs, has invited bids for 4,000 MW units each in Odisha and Tamil Nadu.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said the new bidding norms formulated by Government is a “balanced document.”
However, private power companies have indicated apprehensions about the new norms.
Scindia gave the example of how fuel risk would now be passed on to customers and would not burden the books of the power project developer as was the earlier norm.
“It is impossible to satisfy everyone. The bids will close on November 11. We will see the response,” Scindia added.
The requests for qualification (RFQs) for these UMPPs are being finalised and PFC issued the RFQ for the Bhedabahal Project in Odisha on September 25 and for the Cheyyur Project in Tamil Nadu on September 26.
This fresh round of bidding for UMPPs comes after a gap of more than five years. The bidding for the last UMPP in Jharkhand was held in 2007.
All major clearances have been obtained for the Odisha UMPP. Towards cost of land, Rs 719 crore has been paid to the Odisha Government by the power procuring States and the award has already been made under Section 11 for the land, PFC said.
Three coal blocks — Meenakshi, Meenakshi-B and dip side of Meenakshi — have been allocated for the project, which have been declared a ‘go area’ by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). Water is available throughout the year from the Hirakud reservoir.
As for environment clearance, studies as advised by the MoEF have been completed and environmental clearance would be obtained within the stipulated time. Civil aviation clearance has also been obtained from the Airports Authority of India.
Similarly, for the Cheyyur UMPP, which is based on imported coal, all major clearances are through. Notification under Section 4(2) of the Tamil Nadu Land Acquisition Act has been issued, according to which the land vests absolutely with the Government free from all encumbrances.
NoCs from various departments of the Tamil Nadu Government, namely, Urban Land Ceiling, Water Resources, PWD and Highways have also been obtained.
For the captive port also, NoCs have been obtained from the State Departments concerned. The cost of land at about Rs 84 crore would be paid by the procuring States to the Tamil Nadu Government shortly.