BHEL eyes projects in Oman, Bangla

Public sector equipment giant Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd (BHEL) is eyeing a gas-based power project in Oman and two in Bangladesh. It has also bagged the order for a 280 MW gas based plant at Sylhet in Bangladesh.

The Oman project would be set up in joint venture with Petro Development Corporation (PDC) of Oman, while three power projects in Bangladesh would be set up in conjunction with Bangladesh Electric Distribution Co (BEDC).

Sources close to the development said that BHEL would be bidding for the Oman project which would be a Rs 600 crore, 180 MW gas based plant. Gas for the plant would be supplied by PDC.

The project at Sylhet was bagged despite competition from Alstom and Siemens.

In terms of generation capacity this would be a 280 MW plant and the project cost was estimated around Rs 1,000 crore. BEDC is, however, likely to hand over the formal order letter in the next couple of months.

This public sector equipment major has also shown keen interest for a 180 MW gas based project at Chandpur and another 3x90 MW plant at Sisirgunj. Costs of the projects at Chandpur and Sisirgunj was estimated at Rs 540 crore and Rs 900 crore respectively.

All the three projects in Bangladesh was envisaged by BEDC.

Technical bid for the Chandpur project would be invited in January while price bids would be invited in March. BEDC is likely to invite technical bids for the Sisirgunj project in March and two months down the line the company will invite price bids.

"At Sisirgunj BEDC already has a 3x50 MW gas based power plant. This plant has however outlived its life and would have to be replaced by the new 3x90 MW power plant," said sources close to the development.

Back home, BHEL has already bagged the Bakreswar stage IV and V projects in consortium with Itochu.

The 280 MW gas based turbine project at Tripura for which BHEL has bid has recently received clearance from the government in terms of supply of gas.

Sources said that the project was delayed and the centre had threatened to withdraw supply. The central government has recently allowed NEEPCO which was executing the project to go ahead.