The initial price bids for the Joda-Barbil intrastate transmission scheme in Odisha are scheduled to open on June 28, 2024, by current thinking.
The scheme is officially termed as “Construction of 400/220/132kV grid substation at Joda/Barbil with associated transmission lines” and has an envisaged gestation period of 24 months.
The bidding process was initiated in August last year and the last date for submission of price bids was extended at least ten times from the original September 19, 2023 to the current June 28, 2024.
Reason for delay
It is reliably learnt that the bidding process encountered delays due to multiple factors including change in location of the proposed Joda/Barbil grid substation. Further, it was initially planned to have an AIS (air-insulated substation) but now, it is likely that the substation will be a combination of GIS (gas insulated switchgear) substation and AIS. Several other changes have also come about in the overall scope of works, including configurations of the loop-in, loop-out lines.
PFCCL as BPC
PFC Consulting Ltd (PFCCL) has been appointed as bid process coordinator (BPC) and is responsible for selection of developer under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) process. The mandate on PFCCL was placed by state transmission utility Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL), in December 2022.
PFCCL has incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary Joda Barbil Transmission Ltd to develop the project. This project SPV will be transferred to the successful bidder, currently under selection.
Project significance
The project assumes significant for Odisha as it represents the eastern state’s first attempt at deploying the TBCB mechanism for development of intrastate lines.
It may be mentioned that in August 2021, Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC), published a consultation paper on development of intrastate transmission system in Odisha through the TBCB route. The basic objective of the TBCB route is achieving commercial efficiency over projects developed by OPTCL using the RTM methodology.
Technical consultant
According to information available with T&D India, PFCCL is in the process of selecting a technical consultant for this project for undertaking survey work. Two consultants – Pune-based Prasad Surveyors and New Delhi-based GIS Data Solutions – were in the fray but there is no official communication regarding the final appointment.
Featured photograph is for representation only.
