Moser Baer bags 5 hydel projects
Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 17
Moser Baer has bagged five out of the 14 hydroelectric projects with aggregate generation capacity of 1,652 MW, which were offered through global biding route based on free-power for the first time in the state. Jindal Steel and Power Limited secured three projects, while the DCM Sriram Infrastructure got two.

The highest free power 26.1 per cent, over and above the mandatory 12 per cent (for the first 12 years), 18 per cent (next 18 years) and 30 per cent (remaining 12 years), was quoted for the 7.5 MW Kilhi Bahl in Kangra bagged by the Delhi-based ANS Construction Company. The maximum number of 10 bids each was received for 13 MW Suil project in Chamba and 268 MW Reoli Dugli in Lahual-Sipti.

The average additional free power for all 14 projects worked out 15.5 per cent which means that competitive bidding route will almost double the revenue of the state over the 40 years period as compared to the MoU route. In additionm, the state will get Rs 330 crore as upfront premium at the rate of Rs 20 per megawatt.

In all 102 bids were received and 86 bidders remained in race after evaluation of technical bids.

The Moser Baer got the Reoli Dugli (420 MW) with free power bid of 14.4 per cent, Seli (320 MW) with 14.41 per cent, Teling (69 MW) with 3.34 per cent, Miyar (90 MW) 18.03 per cent and Sach Khas (149 MW) with 13.13 per cent. The total aggregate capacity comes to 1148 MW.

Jindal Steel and Power Limited secured the Lara (40 MW) with a bid of 16.2 per cent, Kuling Lara (40 MW) with 15.3 per cent and Mane Nadang (70 MW) with 21.90 per cent. The DCM Sriram Infrastructure got 90 MW Khoksar with a bid 16.26 per cent and the 81 MW Tinget with 17.26 per cent. Patel Engineering Limited bagged the Dugar (236MW) in Chamba with the bid of 20.12 per cent.

Leading power companies like Tata Power, Essar Power, GMR, Bhilawara Group, Larson and Tubro, which had participated in the bid, drew a blank. The HP Power Corporation, which was also in race also failed to bag any project.

Bids were invited for both small and big projects after the BJP government changed the policy and decided to allot all projects of more than 5 MW capacities through competitive bidding. The average free power bid of 15.5 per cent was remarkable considering the fact that all, except two, projects were located in the land locked tribal area of Lahual-Spiti.