UPE regulator changes bid documents for Anpara project

At a time when power unions in Uttar Pradesh opposed the state government8217;s move to hand over construction of Anpara C to the private s...

At a time when power unions in Uttar Pradesh opposed the state government8217;s move to hand over construction of Anpara C to the private sector, the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission UPERC has ordered a series of changes in the bid documents for the 1,000 MW project that now requires developers to finish the project in 56 months from date of award.

The state commission in fact offers the bidders incentives to finish the project ahead of schedule which would be paid 8216;8216;at the rate of five paise/unit generated between the actual date of commissioning of a unit and the schedule date of commissioning8217;8217;.

This incentive has been provided in order to bridge the large gap in demand and supply in the state and cut down any further commercial delays in the commissioning of this project. Companies such as Essar, Lanco and Reliance that came forward upto the request for price RFP stage to execute the project informed the commission that they could commission the project between 40-45 months from the date of financial closure of the project.

In some of the other changes that need to be incorporated in the bid documents, the commission has asked the state government in this case the UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd to help the successful bidder in securing all the necessary clearences including that from the ministry of environment and forests and the fuel supply agreement. Coal for the project is to be sourced from the Northern Coal Fields.

It has also asked the state government to ensure that land for the project is transferred to the bidder free of any encumbrances within six months of issue of letter of acceptance.

Powergrid to seek 400 mn WB loan

Powergrid Corporation will approach the World Bank for a 400 million loan to part finance two critical transmission projects 8212; Barh power project and the Sipat power project. These projects together are estimated to cost over Rs 3,500 crore and are expected to get an approval from the cabinet committee on economic affairs CCEA shortly. Sources said that while the total funding requirements for the two projects would be 676 million, the balance amount would be raised through other sources including internal funds.