NTPC is expected to issue tender on Friday for a Rs 18,000-crore contract for the bulk supply of 800 mw supercritical power equipment after securing the ministerial go-ahead, company sources said.
The company has decided not to wait for the award of similar contract for 660-mw supercritical units where bidding is already under way. It is apparently because Italian vendor has challenged in the Delhi High Court NTPC’s decision to reject its bid for the supply of 660 mw boilers and the matter is still sub judice. The hearing is scheduled next week.
NTPC plans to buy nine units of 800 mw supercritical units for its 12th Plan projects envisaged at places like Lara in Chhattisgarh, Darllipalli and Gajmara in Orissa and Kudgi in Karnataka.
Kudgi is envisaged to have three units of 800 mw while the rest will have two units each. While equipment cost for these projects is estimated at Rs 18,000 crore, expenditure of another Rs 22,000 crore or so be will be required for undertaking implementation of civil construction, balance of plant (BoP) package works. It takes 48-52 months to commission one unit of 800 mw superciriticl unit.
As per original schedule, NTPC was supposed to finalize contract for 660 mw units in time to issue tender for the bulk supply of 800 mw units in July this year. In preparation of that, NTPC approached the power ministry in June for approval to initiate tendering. But meanwhile, NTPC had to re-tender for the supply of 660 mw boilers after L&T was disqualified, leaving Bhel as the sole bidder for the project. Consequently, NTPC had to re-tender for the project.
L&T Power’s bid for the supply of turbines was also rejected. However, NTPC decided to go ahead with tendering as three players ? Bharat Forge, JSW and Bhel ? were still in the race.
NTPC has issued tender for the supply of supercritical equipment following government’s policy to encourage development of domestic manufacturing facility.