State-run PFC is likely to invite preliminary bids for the 4,000 MW ultra mega power project at Bedabahal in Orissa tomorrow, even as the fate of a similar project in Chhattisgarh remains undecided due to non-receipt of environment clearance.
"The RFQ (request for qualification) or the initial bids for the Bedabahal UMPP may be invited on June 11," a source close to the development said.
This project in Orissa would be the sixth UMPP after successful allotment of four such projects to their successful bidders.
PFC or Power Finance Corporation is the nodal agency for these projects.
Sasan in Madhya Pradesh, Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Tilaiya in Jharkhand have been bagged by Reliance Power and Mundra in Gujarat has been bagged by Tata Power.
RFQ for the fifth project at Sarguja in Chhattisgarh has been delayed due to delay in environmental clearance.
Power Ministry which plans to add a mammoth 1,00,000 MW in the XIIth Five Year Plan (2012-17) would rely on these UMPPs which are expected to add a bulk of the targetted capacity.
However, the first 800 MW unit of the Tata Power's Mundra project is likely to come up during the current plan, rest of the projects would come up during the XIIth plan and even later. Power Ministry has also proposed setting up two more UMPPs in Orissa.