The power ministry, which is planning the induction of super critical units through bulk tendering, awaits an early decision by the Cabinet.

Power ministry sources told FE ?This will facilitate capacity addition of 7,260 mw of super critical units through bulk tendering along with establishment of domestic manufacturing capacity of super critical units in the country. NTPC has already prepared the tender documents for the bulk tender so that they can issue notice inviting tender (NIT) at the earliest on the receipt of government approval.?

According to sources, Planning Commission member BK Chaturvedi had already submitted his report which was endorsed by the power ministry.

Sources said the ministry had already taken a decision to go for the bulk tendering of super critical units in April last year with an emphasis on phased manufacturing programme so that domestic manufacturing capacity of super critical units is established in the country with at least one new manufacturer other than the state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (Bhel).

The list of 11 units with a total generation capacity of 7,260 mw for the induction of super critical units consists of Tanda extension of NTPC ( 2 x660 mw), Sholapur power project of NTPC (2×660 mw), New Nabinagar, a joint venture between NTPC and Bihar State Electricity Board (3×660 m), Meja power project, a joint venture between NTPC and UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (2×660 mw) and Raghunathpur power project of Damodar Valley Corporation (2×660 mw). Sources noted that of 5 projects, it would be split in to 3 units for one manufacturer and the balance 2 to Bhel.

Coal linkage for these projects is still not available except Tanda project for which NTPC has decided to use coal from its own captive mine. The ministry has taken up the matter with coal ministry for an early coal linkage for these projects, revealed sources.

Some new joint ventures, which will come up are L&T-MHI, JSW-Toshiba, Bharat Forge-Alstom and Ansaldo-G B Engg. The new ventures are expected to invest Rs 5,000 crore. The companies winning bulk tendering bid will have to adhere to a phased manufacturing programme (PMP) with milestones and indigenisation, power minister Sushilkumar Shinde said.