G R Infraprojects Ltd (GRIL) is set to clinch its fourth interstate transmission system (ISTS) scheme under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mode.
In a stock exchange communication, GRIL said that bid process coordinator PFC Consulting Ltd (PFCCL), on December 12, 2024, issued the letter of intent to develop the ISTS scheme called “Transmission scheme for integration of Bijapur REZ in Karnataka” under the build, own, operate & transfer (BOOT) mode.
GRIL was declared L1 for the project quoting levelized annual transmission charge (tariff) of Rs.1,077 million.
Expected to cost Rs.1,113 crore (as estimated by National Committee on Transmission) and with a gestation period of 24 months, the scheme is housed under project SPV “Bijapur REZ Transmission Ltd.” Currently, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PFCCL, this SPV will be eventually transferred to G R Infraprojects Ltd.
Project elements
The project mainly involves establishing a new 400/220kV, 5×500 MVA pooling station near Bijapur (also known as Vijayapura) in the southern state of Karnataka. Another important project element is the 400kV double-circuit line from this upcoming pooling station to the existing Raichur (New) substation of PGCIL, also in Karnataka. Bus reactors (2×125 MVAr, 420kV) at the upcoming Bijapur PS will also form part of the project.
Widespread interest
It is noteworthy that the Bijapur REZ project elicited widespread response from the bidder community with as many as nine developers getting qualified for opening of initial price bids. Apart from seasoned players like PGCIL, Sterlite Power, Adani Energy Solutions, Apraava Energy and Techno Electric & Engineering, the project saw qualifying bids from newcomers like Gawar Constructions Ltd, Jakson Ltd and Babrik Project Ltd.
It is however, not known which of these qualified for the e-reverse auction (e-RA). It may be noted that under the standard bidding process, participation in the e-RA routine is limited to the top four players assessed on the basis of their initial price bids.
Fourth ISTS-TBCB scheme
For G R Infraprojects Ltd, the Bijapur REZ transmission scheme would be the fourth ISTS scheme, under the TBCB modality. GRIL debuted in the ISTS-TBCB development space by winning “Rajgarh Transmission Ltd” in May 2022 – a transmission scheme in Madhya Pradesh that is now operational. GRIL went on to win Pachora Transmission Ltd in February 2024, involving augmentation works to assets already commissioned under Rajgarh Transmission Ltd.
In September this year, GRIL clinched “Tumkur-II REZ Power Transmission Ltd,” an ISTS scheme involving RE evacuation from upcoming green energy projects in Karnataka – the same state that houses the new win.
Also read: G R Infraprojects acquires “Tumkur-II REZ Power Transmission” from RECPDCL
Featured photograph shows an element of the commissioned ISTS scheme of Rajgarh Transmission Ltd, a TBCB-subsidiary of G R Infraprojects Ltd.
