The deadline has been extended for the sixth time in a row due to non-allocation of coal linkages for the project
The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) has extended the date for submission of RFQ (request for qualification) document for setting up the 2,640- Mw coal-based Gidderbaha thermal power project on build-own-operate (BOO) basis. It is for the sixth time in a row that the deadline has been extended due to non-allocation of coal linkages. The board has extended the last date to November 16 from September 16, 2009.
Initially, the last date for submission of RFQ for the project was December 19, 2008, which was later extended to January 19, 2009. Again, it was extended to February 16, 2009. The date was extended on the pretext that the board wanted more companies to participate in the bidding process, in order to get competitive rates. Again, it extended the last date by two months and fixed April 16, 2009 as the last date, as PSEB didn’t get coal linkages from the coal ministry for the plant. Now again, the board has extended the date to November 16, 2009, due to non-allocation of coal linkages, sources disclosed.
It is worth mentioning that, earlier, Reliance Power, Larsen & Toubro, Adani Infrastructure, GMR Energy were four players who have submitted RFQ document for setting up Gidderbaha Thermal Power Project on Build, Own & Operate (BOO) basis.
For the proposed project, PSEB has incorporated a company under the name of Gidderbaha Power Ltd, which would operate as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and would be domiciled for the project.
The project would be spread over 2,311 acres. The SPV along with the land for the project site will be transferred to the successful bidder at a price to be indicated at the RFP (request for proposal) stage to implement the project. Further, the project is likely to attract an investment of Rs 5.5 crore to 6 crore per megawatt.
The government intends to develop Thermal plants at Rajpura(1,200 Mw), Talwandi Sabo(2,000 Mw), Goindwal Sahib(540 Mw) besides Gidderbaha. Mumbai-based Sterlite Energy,( a part of Sterlite Industries India Ltd) has been allotted to develop Talwandi Sabo Thermal Power Project while GVK is setting up 540 Mw thermal power plant at Goindwal sahib. So far Rajpura Thermal plant is concerned, the government has extended the last date for submission of RFQ.