PTC, 8 others in race for 2k-mw MahaVitaran order

Indiabulls Power, Adani Power, Reliance Power, JSW Energy, Emco, Essar Power, Wardha Power and India's leading power trading company PTC have submitted their bids to the Maharashtra Electricity Distribution Company (MahaVitaran) for the sale of 2,000 mw of power to tide over the rising mismatch between demand and supply.

Maharashtra reels under power deficit of nearly 5,000 mw and at times is compelled to draw power at higher rates in the range of Rs 5-10 per unit. MahaVitaran's move is crucial as the state is going for an assembly elections scheduled for October. It's MahaVitaran's attempt to minimise daily load shedding during the run up to the assembly elections.

MahaVitaran official told FE ''These bids were invited under the power ministry's revised guidelines for determination of tariff by bidding process of procurement of power by distribution licences. In case I procurement, to ensure serious participation in the bid process and timely completion of commencement of power supply, the bidder should be required to submit along with its bid documents in support of having specific actions for project preparatory activities.

The bidder should have acquired and taken possession of at least 50% of the areas of the land. The bidder should have submitted the requisite proposal for the environmental clearance to the concerned administrative authority responsible for according final approval in the central and state government as the case may be.''

Moreover, the official said that as per the revised guidelines fuel arrangements would have to made for the quantity of fuel required to generate power from the power station for the total installed capacity for the terms of power purchase agreement. In addition to this, the bidder would have acquired approval from the concerned state irrigation department or any other relevant authority for the quantity of water required for the power station.

According to the official, the MahaVitaran may open these bids on August 24 if the bidders have met all compliances required under the revised guidelines for determination of tariff.