Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC), the nodal agency for ultra mega power projects (UMPPs), would start inviting bids for 4,000 MW units each in Odisha and Tamil Nadu starting September 25.
“The requests for qualification (RFQs) for these UMPPs are being finalised and PFC will issue the RFQ for the Bhedabahal Project in Odisha on September 25 and for the Cheyyur Project in Tamil Nadu on September 26,” the Government-owned agency said in a statement.
This fresh round of bidding for UMPPs comes after a gap of more than five years. The bidding for the last UMPP in Jharkhand was held in 2007.
For the Odisha UMPP, all major clearances have been obtained. Towards cost of land, Rs 719 crore has been paid to the Odisha Government by the power procuring States and the award has already been made under Section 11 for the land, PFC said.
Three coal blocks — Meenakshi, Meenakshi-B and dip side of Meenakshi — have been allocated for the project, which have been declared a ‘go area’ by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). Water is available throughout the year from the Hirakud reservoir.
As for environment clearance, studies as advised by the MoEF have been completed and environmental clearance would be obtained within the stipulated time. Civil aviation clearance has also been obtained from the Airports Authority of India.
Similarly, for the Cheyyur UMPP, which is based on imported coal, all major clearances are through. Notification under Section 4(2) of the Tamil Nadu Land Acquisition Act has been issued, according to which the land vests absolutely with the Government free from all encumbrances.
NoCs from various departments of the Tamil Nadu Government, namely, Urban Land Ceiling, Water Resources, PWD and Highways have also been obtained.
For the captive port also, NoCs have been obtained from the State Departments concerned. Land cost of about Rs 84 crore would be paid by the procuring States to the Tamil Nadu Government shortly.