PCKL to float fresh RFQs for 1,320 Mw Gulbarga thermal power project

Supercritical thermal power project is being taken up on Case-2 bidding for the first time in state at estimated cost of Rs 7,500 crore

The Power Company of Karnataka Limited (PCKL), a wholly-owned company of government of Karnataka, will soon float fresh request for qualification (RFQ) for the proposed 1,320 Mw Gulbarga coal-based super critical thermal power project. The project has been proposed under the Case-2 bidding framework as per the competitive bidding guidelines. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 7,500 crore.

The move to float fresh bids comes after the Coal Ministry recently allocated coal linkage for the Gulbarga thermal project, a top PCKL official told Business Standard.

PCKL is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created by the Karnataka government to bridge the widening gap between demand and supply by capacity addition through a competitive bidding route. The Gulbarga thermal power project is the first project being taken up by the PCKL under the competitive bid route.

In Case-2 bidding, the Central or state government which is calling for bids offers to assist private developers to set up large power plants and helps in securing land, water and mandatory clearances.

This is not the first time the PCKL would be refloating the bids for the Gulbarga Thermal Power Project. It had earlier invited RFQ on a build, own and operate (BOO) basis twice, in July 2010 and May 2012, following directions from the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC).

"We would come out with fresh RFQ bids because the earlier qualifiers did not submit financial bids as there was no coal allocation for the project. Now, the Central government has allocated coal blocks for the project. So, we are considering the option of refloating the bids to help many others to qualify. However, we are yet to decide on allowing the existing bidders to remain in the competition or ask them to submit fresh bids," said G Kumar Naik, chairman and managing director, PCKL.

Earlier, Tata Power, GMR Energy Limited, Jindal Power Ltd, Shree Cement Limited, GVK Industries Ltd, Adani Power Ltd and Reliance among others had qualified to participate in the final bids.

PCKL is in possession of 1,601 acres in Gulbarga taluk near Firozabad, Kirangi and Nadisinnur village limits and has secured allocation for 2.06 TMC of water from Googal Barrage across Krishna River.

The project will be constructed over a period of four years from the date of signing the agreement and the entire power generated would be supplied to the state grid.