Deadline For 7 Maharashtra Ipps Extended

The Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) has extended the last date for submission of bid documents for the seven independent power projects (IPPs) in the state to August 29 from June 30.

This is the second time the date has been extended. This time, the extension has been granted at the request of prospective bidders, MSEB sources said. However, conflicting reasons are being cited for the request for extension. According to a source on the board, the extension was given as prospective bidders needed more time to visit all seven locations to satisfy themselves that transportation for fuel could be arranged for. This assumes significance as the onus for arranging the fuel linkage rests on the bidder as per the terms of the tender. Had more time not been granted, the response to the tender could have been poor, the source said. Another source said it was given to facilitate the formation of consortia for bidding for the projects.

The last date had earlier been extended by a month following questions raised at the pre-bid conference. Clarifications had been sought on issues like fuel linkage and land availability. The board has circulated a detailed document giving answers to various issues. It has reiterated that the fuel linkage will be the responsibility of the bidders.

The state electricity board has floated a global tender for seven medium sized IPPs in the state ranging between 100 mw and 180 mw. These are located at Waluj, Sinnar, Mahad, Ranjangaon, Kagal, Wai and Chincholi near Solapur.

All seven projects will be located in MIDC areas. Bidders are free to choose any fuel except coal and high speed diesel. The duration of the power purchase agreement will be 15 years.The projects have to be commissioned within 21 to 27 months of the signing of the PPA. The tenders are said to have elicited an excellent response with over 100 companies having purchased 250 documents. This includes international energy major Enron, Bechtel, ABB, Siemens, Euro Capital, Bayer Works, L&T and Itochu. The domestic purchasers include Mumbai-based power major BSES, which has decided to bid for four projects, TEC and Usha Martin.