REC to invite bids for third Rs 400 cr transmission proj

State-owned Rural Electrification Corp (REC) would invite qualifying bids for the Rs 400-crore independent transmission project on April 12.

REC has recently awarded two such independent transmission projects to Reliance Power Transmission Ltd.

Raichur-Solapur Transmission Company Ltd, a special purpose vehicle created for the purpose, would float the RFQ or the Request for Qualification on April 12 to invite bids for developing the transmission network, two people close to the development confirmed.

This would be the third independent transmission project (ITP) by REC, it has already awarded two ITPs -- 1,045-km-long North Karanpura transmission line and 592-km Talcher-II to Reliance Power Transmission.

These projects to be implemented over a period of 30-42 months cost Rs 4,100 crore collectively and would evacuate electricity from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Meanwhile, another public sector unit Power Finance Corp is also the implementing agency for ITPs and has awarded the country's first ITP to Sterlite Technologies.

Sterlite Technologies would implement the East-North Interconnection mega transmission project at a cost of Rs 800 crore. The transmission lines would be commissioned within three years and the company would operate and maintain the same for a minimum tenure of 22 years thereafter.

Independent transmission projects are being built with the aim of encouraging private sector participation in power transmission, which till date is monopolised by central transmission utility PowerGrid Corporation Ltd.