1,000 bids for hydel projects in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (UJVNL) has received nearly 1,000 applications in response to its invitation of bids for micro, mini and small hydel projects under the new power policy.

With the deadline for submission of bids ending yesterday, top UJVNL officials today said the response was tremendous. “We have received nearly 1,000 applications,” said S K Rastogi, UJVNL General Manager.

UJVNL had invited bids for micro, mini and small hydel projects in the state, mostly through the self-identified route. Bids were also invited for at least 10 identified projects.

UJVNL, which had initiated the bidding process in September, repeatedly extended the dates to accommodate more people. Besides, to attract a favourable response, the state government too relaxed various conditions related to the net worth, turnover and cash components.

After facing problems in kicking off big hydel projects, the government is trying to focus on micro, mini and small hydel projects in the hill state with an aim to generate 1,100 Mw. It is also giving preference to local entrepreneurs and gram panchayats in building micro and mini hydel plants, with a slew of sops under the new power policy announced earlier this year.

“We are also giving various incentives, including loans from banks and subsidies, to local entrepreneurs,” said an official.

Hydro power projects have been grouped in three broad categories — micro, mini and small. Projects with capacity up to 100 Kw will be categorised as ‘micro’ and ‘mini’, while projects with capacity between 5 Mw and up to 25 Mw will be categorised as ‘small’.

Under the government provisions for self-identified projects, developers can identify projects, prepare the detailed project report (DPR) and ask for allotment. In the other category, the state or state-sponsored agencies can identify the projects of any size, prepare the DPR and allot them.

However, small projects will be open to all with no reservations for any category and open competitive bidding.