State-owned power generator Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) has floated global expression of interest (EoI) for long-term supply of liquid natural gas (LNG) for its upcoming 700 Mw gas-based combined cycle power project at Bidadi near Bangalore. The project is estimated to cost Rs 2,500 crore.
The Government of Karnataka accorded approval for the establishment of the first unit of 700 Mw gas-based power plant in July, 2011. KPCL has already acquired 70 hectares land for the proposed project at Bidadi and signed power purchase agreement (PPA) with Karnataka ESCOMs (Electricity Supply Companies) for the power to be generated from the proposed project.
According to KPCL website, the company has invited EoIs from nationally and internationally renowned, experienced, well-established, reputed companies, for supply of up to 1 MMTPA of LNG to be supplied at Dabhol LNG Terminal or Natural Gas to be supplied at the plant site from March 2015. The last date for submission of EoI documents is January 15, 2013, the website said.
The successful bidder for the supply of gas will be selected through an international competitive bidding process and KPCL will come out with tender documents for the same. The interested parties will be requested to submit their bids along with the required documents as per the tender conditions. Based on the criterion in the tender document, bids will be evaluated and successful bidder will be short listed, the company said. KPCL has also initiated the process to invite international competitive bids for the EPC works for the 700 Mw capacity with plus or minus 20 per cent. The entire power generated from this project will be allocated to Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) since the plant is near the load centre, which could accommodate the requirement of peak load.
The GAIL Ltd is setting up the 800 km pipeline from Dabhol in Maharashtra to Bidadi, about 32 kms from Bangalore to supply gas to the state. The project is nearing completion, government officials said.
Karnataka Power Corporation Limited has a total installed capacity of about 6,500 Mw consisting of hydroelectric stations, Thermal Power Plants (TPP) windmills and Solar PV Plants. Its thermal power plants are located in Raichur (1,720 Mw) and Bellary (2x500 Mw).
The state-owned generator is also in the process of implementing Bellary stage III (700 Mw) and Yeramarus (2x800 Mw) in a joint venture with BHEL.
