As many as nine companies have evinced interest in setting up two private thermal power projects in Uttar Pradesh.
The two units, having a combined thermal capacity of 3,300 mw, are Prayagraj Power Generation Company, in Bara and Sangam Power Geeration Company, in Karchana.
While the Bara unit would generate 1,980 mw of power, the unit in Karchana would generate 1,320 mw.
Companies present at the pre-bid conference here on Friday included Lanco Infratech, Torrent Power, Reliance Power, Larsen & Toubro, GMR Energy, Jindal Steel and Power, JSW Energy, CESC and the NTPC.
Replying to the queries of the bidders, infrastructure and industrial development commissioner of the state government Atul Kumar Gupta laid stress on urgent need for generating more power and said that if the units start generating before the time period set for them, developers will be given financial incentive.
Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited chairman G Patnaik, meanwhile, laid to rest doubts and queries of the bidders regarding land acquisition, availability of water, NOC from the environment and coal linkages.
Principal secretary, energy, VN Garg, too, stated that the government would make sure that the developer gets all the support that is due from the state administration. While the last date for technical reports for the two units is March 25, the last date for submitting the financial report is March 28. The final bidders for both the projects are expected to be declared by the end of March.