Himachal plans to generate 1,481 Mw power

New Delhi: The Himachal Pradesh government has identified eight hydel power projects to generate 1,481 Mw electricity in the state, bids for which have been invited from global as well as domestic companies.

The state government has invited proposals from eligible bidders for eight projects, six of which would be built on international competitive bidding route. These include the 454-Mw Seli project on the river Chenab.

Besides Seli, four more projects would be established on Chenab — Reoli/Dugli (268 Mw), Dugar (238 Mw), Sach-Khas (149 Mw), and Gyspa stage-I and stage-II (170 Mw).

The remaining two projects, Kuling Lara (40 Mw) and Patam (60 Mw), would created through MoU route on rivers Sutlej and Chenab respectively.

The selected developers would be responsible for preparing feasibility and detailed project reports (DPRs), commissioning and operation, and identification of transmission systems for the projects to be set up on a build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis.

The operation period of the projects shall be 40 years from the date of scheduled commercial operation, after which, they would revert to the state government.

“The transmission system for evacuation of power shall form part of the Project and shall be included in the DPR in consultation with Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board. The DPRs for all the projects shall have to be prepared by the IPPs themselves,” an official statement said.

According to its policy, the state would have access to up to 30 per cent free power from the projects.

“The project developer shall be required to provide royalty in the shape of free power to the Himachal Pradesh government at 12 per cent up to 12 years from the date of scheduled commercial operation of the projects.”

The project would give 18 per cent free electricity for a period of next 18 years, and thereafter, 30 per cent for the balance agreement period beyond 30 years, it added.

The Himachal Pradesh government has also reserved the right of equity participation up to 49 per cent for projects above 100 Mw installed capacity.

The company would also have to have at least 70 per cent “Bonafide Himachalis” of its total headcount for the execution of the projects.

The last date for submission of bids is March 5. The bidders would be required to deposit a processing fee of up to Rs 10,00,000 per project.

As per data available with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the country has a potential to generate close to 1,50,000 Mw hydroelectric power, of which, Himachal Pradesh offers over 18,000 Mw. As on October 31, 2007, the state had developed 6,085.5 Mw.