Haryana to simplify bidding process for new power plants

Chandigarh, May 13 (UNI) The Haryana Power Generation Corporation (HPGC) will invite competitive bids for setting up a 1000 MW coal-based thermal plant at Matanhail (Jhajjar) by May 25 for which land, water and rail linkage would be facilitated.

This was disclosed today by the Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary Power of Haryana B N Prasher, while reviewing the present and future power position and setting-up of new power generating units in the state in a meeting of the senior officers of Haryana Power Utilities.

Referring to the need of setting up of power generating plants in the state due to unexpected increase in the power demand, he opined that the time period to be consumed in the bidding process should be shortened to the maximum possible extent.

He said the main objective of the Indian Electricity Act, 2003 is to speed up generation capacity. Any deviation from the guidelines in this regard are permitted as the main objective of the Act is to add generation and not to abandon setting up of new generating units by strictly following the bidding process which appears to be more time consuming, he added.

The present guidelines issued by the Centre provide that the future procurement of power should be through competitive bidding, he said. As per the tariff policy tying up power from the private developers through MOU route is not permitted, Mr Prasher said.

He said the state can either generate power through their own projects or purchase it from the Central Power Generating Units. So far as the latter is concerned, Haryana has already given consent for purchase of power from all the projects being set up in the Central sector, he added.

Mr Prasher stated that reputed developers are sitting on the edge and waiting for clearance from the government to start construction of new projects. It would be better to invite competitive bids for giving fare chance to all the prospective bidders, he said.

The endeavour is to procure power through bidding process so that consumers are provided with the cheapest option, he added.

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