Bidders have been shortlisted for opening of initial price bids with respect to two more intrastate schemes in Maharashtra, under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mechanism.
Here are the broad details
Scheme: Establishment of 400kV GIS Igatpuri / Murbad Switching Station (District- Thane)
Project SPV: Western Ghats PSP Transmission Ltd
BPC: PFC Consulting Ltd (PFCCL)
No. of bidders shortlisted: Six
Scheme: Establishment of 400kV GIS Solapur/Paranda Switching Station (District: Dharashiv)
Project SPV: Dharashiv Power Transmission Ltd
BPC: REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL)
No. of bidders shortlisted: Six
Put together, a total of ten bidders are collectively in the fray with Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) and Resonia Ltd aspiring for both schemes. Details are presented below:
Torrent Power is seen showing interest in the intrastate-TBCB space by bidding for its first scheme, at least in recent history. The private sector power utility is already present in the interstate-TBCB space through “Solapur Transmission Ltd,” acquired in March 2024. Aiming to create evacuation infrastructure for 1,500 MW of generation capacity associated with solar projects in Solapur, Maharashtra, the scheme is nearing completion.
Seven of the ten bidders already have acquired at least one intrastate-TBCB scheme. Apart from Torrent Power that has yet to enter the intrastate development space, the other two from the list are: Ashoka Buildcon Ltd and Skylark Infra Engineering.
Cumulative status
According to information available with tndindia.com, there are at least seven intrastate-TBCB schemes in Maharashtra where bidders have been shortlisted and no information on the winning (L1) bidder is yet available. This includes the two schemes under discussion. One scheme – Latur REZ Transmission Ltd – where the letter of intent has been issued (to Montecarlo Ltd) is pending SPV transfer.
This apart, as many as nine schemes have been formally transferred to developers comprising an interesting diversity of developers — Central PSU PGCIL, state transco MSETCL and private sector entities.
Another eight schemes are currently bidding, making a total of 25, which is easily the largest intrastate-TBCB portfolio by any state, so far.
It may be added that in one case – Ambernath Power Transmission Ltd – the TBCB modality was scrapped in favour of a private entity being nominated to build the transmission infrastructure envisaged as a Dedicated Distribution Facility. (Read full story)
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