PCKL to float fresh RFQs for 1,320 MW Gulbarga thermal power project.

Supercritical thermal power project is being taken up on Case-2 bidding for the first time in state at estimated cost of Rs. 7,500 crore

The Power Company of Karnataka Limited (PCKL), a wholly-owned company of government of Karnataka, will soon float fresh request for qualification (RFQ) for the proposed 1,320 MW Gulbarga coal-based super critical thermal power project. The project has been proposed under the Case-2 bidding framework as per the competitive bidding guidelines. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs. 7,500 crore.

The move to float fresh bids comes after the Coal Ministry recently allocated coal linkage for the Gulbarga thermal project, a top PCKL official told Business Standard.

PCKL is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created by the Karnataka government to bridge the widening gap between demand and supply by capacity addition through a competitive bidding route. The Gulbarga thermal power project is the first project being taken up by the PCKL under the competitive bid route.

In Case-2 bidding, the Central or state government which is calling for bids offers to assist private developers to set up large power plants and helps in securing land, water and mandatory clearances.

This is not the first time the PCKL would be refloating the bids for the Gulbarga Thermal Power Project. It had earlier invited RFQ on a build, own and operate (BOO) basis twice, in July 2010 and May 2012, following directions from the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC).

BS