RFQ for at least one mega power project soon: Official sources

The Union Power Ministry is likely to invite a Request for Qualification (RFQ) for atleast one of the three Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) for which it has identified sites in Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, a senior government official said today.     

"We are expecting one RFQ this year," Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power, Gireesh B Pradhan, told reporters at a conference in the financial capital.     

The Ministry has shortlisted Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, Bedabahal in Orissa and Kotipalli in Andhra Pradesh for the projects.     

"We have identified a total of 14 sites for UMPPs," Pradhan added.     

Four out of these 14 proposed projects have already been awarded to private players. Three out of these are with an Anil Ambani Group company and the fourth with Tata Power.     

While the Sasan (MP), Krishnapatnam (AP) and Tilaiya (Jharkhand) projects have been awarded to Reliance Power, the Mundra UMPP in Gujarat has been bagged by Tata Power.     

Each UMPP has a capacity of 4,000 MW.     

Though no timeline has been fixed for the RFQ, it is likely to be invited soon followed by financial and technical bids from interested power players.

Pradhan added the country's target of achieving 78,775 Mw of power during the XI Plan Period (2007-12) was "doable".    

Asked what the Government would do to expedite power projects, he said "we will have more intensive monitoring, a much closer review at all levels and besides, would get Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) to take steps to shorten various processes."