Three bid for Mumbai power distribution permit

MERC receives only three EoIs -- from Tata Power, MahaVitaran and India Power Corp

Leading power utilities including Torrent Power, Reliance Infrastructure, GMR, GVK and CESC stayed away from filing expressions of interest (EoI) for a distribution licence in the area currently serviced by Tata Power here.

The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has received only three EoIs – from Tata Power, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MahaVitaran) and Kolkata-based India Power Corporation. MERC had invited EoIs as Tata Power's licence period is valid up to August 15 this year.

The last date to submit the EoI was January 31.

“MERC will conduct technical scrutiny of these EoI. Tata Power, MahaVitaran and India Power Corporation would be given a casual hearing according Section 15 of the Electricity Act, 2003. They would have to submit their plans to distribute power and put in place a necessary network. Thereafter, these companies would have to submit financial bids. Subsequently, MERC will take a final call on award of distribution licence,” a MERC official told Business Standard.