Bids for Tamil Nadu, Odisha mega power projects to be deferred by two months.

Bidding for the ultra mega power projects (UMPP) at Bhedabahal in Odisha and Cheyyur in Tamil Nadu, of 4,000 MW each, will be deferred by at least two months. This means the winning bids for the projects, which require investments of over RS. 25,000 crore each, will be declared by the new Government, expected to take charge soon.

'The bidders have sought more time to submit RFPs (request for proposal or price bid). The companies sought extension of the date by three months. However, the Government will extend it by another 8-10 weeks. The order is expected in a day or two,' a senior Power Ministry official told Business Line.

According to the official, the bidders want more time to examine several parameters before placing their bids.

Minister of Power (independent charge) Jyotiraditya M Scindia wanted to give away the power projects in the current financial year.

It was under Scindia that new bidding documents were also put in place.

In August 2013, the revised standard bidding documents were given the go-ahead by an Empowered Group of Ministers. However, the bidding is unlikely to happen now.

Companies that submitted initial bids (request for qualification or RFQ) for the power plants at Bhedabahal and Cheyyur have been asked to give price bids. The bids are expected to be opened on February 26.

HBL