NTPC to float global tenders for Kudgi power project

The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has put on fast track the process of procuring equipment for the first unit of the 4,000 Mw supercritical coal-based thermal power station at Kudgi in Bijapur district.

The company is planning to float global tenders for supplying equipment to the first unit of the 800 Mw power project shortly, a top company official said.

The company had signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Karnataka and Power Company of Karnataka Limited (PCKL) two years ago to set up its first ultra mega power project in Karnataka. The cost of the project has been estimated at Rs15,000 crore.

“We have received Union Cabinet approval three days ago for the first unit of 800 mw of 4,000 Mw thermal power project at Kudgi in Bijapur district. We have already received necessary clearances for the project. We will be procuring equipment through a bulk order for nine of our units including Kudgi.

We will be floating global tenders for the supply of equipment shortly,” Inder Jit Kapoor, director-commercial, NTPC said.

The cost of the equipment for the first unit of 800 Mw will be decided based on the international competitive bidding, Kapoor said.

Land acquisition for the project is under process. The state government has raised the land price at Rs4.75 lakh per acre for dry land and Rs6 lakh per acre for wet land after the farmers opposed the earlier prices fixed at Rs3 lakh per acre.

The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has issued the final notification for acquisition of 3,200 acres land in four villages like Kudgi, Telgi, Masuti and Golasangi in Bijapur district for the project. Out of 3,200 acres, 1,900 acres is reserved for the power station, 1,100 acres for the ash pond and 250 acres for the township.

The project will be taken up in two stages. In the first stage, 2,400 Mw (3x800) and 1,600 Mw (2x800) of power will be generated in the second stage.

The state government has allocated 5.2 tmc ft of water from the Almatti Dam in Bijapur district.

The power purchase agreement was signed between NTPC and electricity supply companies in November 2010.