NTPC Rebids for Odisha’s Equipment as BGR Pulls Out

State-run generation utility NTPC has decided to call for fresh equipment supply bids for its 1,600 mw coal-fired power plant at Darlipalli in Odisha in the wake of one of the successful bidders in the earlier round, BGR Energy, pulling out of the project citing lack of progress.

NTPC chairman Arup Roy Choudhury, who completed 12 years as head of public sector entities on Tuesday, confirmed the move but did not say when the fresh bids would be invited. He said the fresh bids may be called for both boilers along with TG (turbine and generator) set. “May be both,” he said.

BGR Energy had bagged the contract for supplying turbines and generators, while the boilers will be supplied by state-run power equipment maker BHEL. BGR Energy pulled out as work is yet to start at the plant due to non-availability of various clearances and physical possession of land. The contract was valued at Rs 800 crore.

But Roy Choudhury was undaunted by the delayed Odisha project. It is not without reason. Under Roy Choudhury’s watch, NTPC has added nearly 9,000 MW capacity in the last 31 months. This is around 22% of the total capacity added in the last 37 years, or 41,184 MW. Almost 6,990 MW of capacity was put on commercial operation during the same period, including 4,830 MW in 2013, the highest-ever in a year.

By adding 9,610 MW in the 11th Plan, NTPC surpassed the target of 9,220 MW for the plan period. It also put on commercial operation three 660 MW super critical units at Sipat. And in a first, the company commissioned two solar power plants of 5 mw each at Dadri and Port Blair.

BGR Energy is an EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) provider. The 1,600 MW Darlipali project is part of the bulk tender projects and is linked to the Dulanga coal mine, with seven million tonnes capacity, in Odisha.

Meanwhile, NTPC has also signed loan agreements worth Rs 1,870 crore with three public sector banks to partially finance its capital expenditure plans. The company has planned a capex of over Rs 20,000 crore of which a majority amount has been raised. These loans have a tenure of 15 years.