The process of evaluation of bids for micro, mini and small (MMS) hydel projects in Uttarakhand would take another two months due to the global meltdown and upcoming elections.
State-owned Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) had received over 800 bids for MMS hydel projects from both government and private sectors, the last date for which was December 27.
“We are waiting for favourable conditions in the market, which is plagued by slowdown,” said an official. Another reason being cited in this regard was general elections.
UJVNL had invited bids mostly through the self-identified route. There were at least 10 identified projects for which the bids were also invited.
Under the self-identified category, developers may identify projects, prepare the detailed project report and ask for allotment. In the other category, the state or state sponsored agencies may identify the projects of any size, prepare DPR and allot them.
It may be recalled that the company initiated the bidding process for various projects in September but had to repeatedly extended the dates owning to poor response. It, therefore, relaxed certain tough conditions like networth, turnover and cash components.
After facing problem with big hydel projects, the government is focusing on micro, mini and small hydel projects in the hill state with a hope to generate 1,100 Mw.
It is giving preference to local entrepreneurs and gram panchayats to build these projects with a slew of sops under the new policy announced last year. “We are also giving various incentives including arranging loans from banks and subsidies to local entrepreneurs,” said the official.
Hydro projects have been grouped in three broad categories – micro, mini and small. Projects with up to 100 Kw come under micro, while those between 100 Kw and 5 Mw form mini. Small projects consist of 5 Mw up to 25 Mw.
