Bhel to get preference for equipment supply

Government today said state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals (Bhel) will be given preference over others during the international competitive bidding process for manufacturing 660 mw supercritical units in the country.

“Yes, though Bhel will also have to bid during the international bidding process for manufacturing 660 mw supercritical units in the country, but we would make sure that some orders do go to the company,” Power Secretary Anil Razdan told reporters here.

Government plans to invite bids for nine units of 660 mw supercritical equipment (boilers, turbines, generators) from NTPC for its seven projects and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for its two projects.

“Even if Bhel is not the lowest bidder, it would be given the option to match the lowest bid in order to bag the project,” Central Electricity Authority Chairman Rakesh Nath said.

Bhel has started manufacturing supercritical units in the country, the goverment would bring global players as well but in order to bring international expertise .

“We want more than one player to manufacture both 660 mw and 800 mw supercritical equipment here,” Razdan said.

Supercritical technology is used to reduce coal consumption and also reduce greehouse gas emissions.