Three bidders have been shortlisted for an ISTS scheme to set up evacuation infrastructure for upcoming hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh.
Bid process coordinator REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) has shortlisted Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), Sterlite Power and Adani Energy Solutions Ltd () for the ISTS scheme housed under “Shongtong Power Transmission Ltd,” under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route.
These three developers are now qualified, on the basis of technical bids, for opening of initial price bids. Once the initial price bids are opened, the bidding process would move to the e-reverse auction stage where final price bids will emerge. By current timelines, RECPDCL expects to formalize the bidder selection, including transfer of project SPV, by October 14, 2024.
Shongtong Power Transmission Ltd aims to create a transmission system for evacuation of power from Shongtong Karcham hydropower project (450 MW) and Tidong hydropower project (150 MW), both located in Himachal Pradesh. While the Shongtong Karcham project is owned by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL), the Tidong plant is developed by Tidong Power Generation Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Norway-based Statkraft.
It may be added that Statkraft, in 2018, acquired the Tidong hydropower project from Hyderabad-based NSL Power group, its original developer, when 60 per cent construction work was already completed. The project was then designed with 100 MW capacity.
Both the hydropower projects are under active construction and are expected to commission by July 2026. The associated transmission scheme is also envisaged for completion with a timeframe matching that of the hydropower projects.
Project elements
The major components of the transmission scheme include a 400/220kV GIS pooling station at Jhangi; a 400kV double-circuit (quad) line from the Jhangi PS to Wangtoo substation of HPPTCL; LILO of one circuit of the Jhangi PS – Wangtoo line at the generation switchyard of Shongtong hydropower project and a 400kV double-circuit line connecting Wangtoo substation to PGCIL’s Panchkula substation in Haryana.
Bidding prolonged
The bidding process for Shongtong Power Transmission Ltd was initiated in June 2023, and by original timelines, the initial price bids were scheduled to open on July 24, 2023. However, the last date of submission of bids was extended on at least 20 occasions, prolonging the bidding process by over a year.
ISTS-TBCB scheme for Luhri HEP
It may be mentioned that RECPDCL is also engaged as BPC for a similar ISTS-TBCB scheme meant for creating evacuation infrastructure for SJVN’s 210-MW Luhri hydropower project in Himachal Pradesh. Bidding for this ISTS scheme housed under “Luhri Power Transmission Ltd” began in September 2022 but the bid submission date has seen repeated extensions. By current thinking, technical bids are scheduled to be opened on October 11, 2024, followed by opening of initial price bids of shortlisted bidders on October 22, 2024.
Featured photograph (source: Statkraft) shows the project site of Statkraft’s 150-MW Tidong hydropower project in Himachal Pradesh.
