Four bidders have qualified for opening of initial price bids for two independent schemes related to evacuation of RE power from the Bikaner Complex in Rajasthan.
It is reliably learnt that bid process coordinator REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) has technically qualified four bidders – Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), Sterlite Power, Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) and Tata Power – for the two schemes, under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mechanism.
The two schemes are components of an overarching project but are being bid out independently. The four aspirants have qualified for each of the two schemes, independently.
The schemes are:
- Transmission system for evacuation of power from Rajasthan REZ Phase-IV (Part 3: 6 GW) [Bikaner Complex]: Part A
- Transmission system for evacuation of power from Rajasthan REZ Phase-IV (Part 3: 6 GW) [Bikaner Complex]: Part B
These two schemes will be housed respectively under project SPVs “Bikaner A Power Transmission Ltd” and “Bikaner B Power Transmission Ltd.” Both these SPVs were incorporated by RECPDCL as its wholly-owned subsidiaries, on May 15, 2024.
Going by estimates made by National Committee on Transmission (NCT), the total cost of the two schemes is around Rs.11,325 crore. Each scheme will have a gestation period of 24 months from the date of SPV transfer, and they are both expected to commission concurrently.
By current timelines, RECPDCL expects to complete the bidding process comprising opening of initial price bids, e-reverse auction and handover of letter of intent, over the coming weeks. Transfer the project SPVs to the successful bidder is likely to take place by October 28, 2024.
Project objective & components
The collective objective of Part A and Part B is to meet connectivity applications of RE generators in the Bikaner complex. Part A envisages development of the Bikaner IV Pooling Station (AIS) with capacity 6×1500 MVA, 765/400kV and 6×500 MVA, 400/220kV. Under Part B, a new AIS substation (765/400kV, 6×1500 MVA) will come up at Siwani in Bhiwani district. Both these substations will be connected by a 765kV double-circuit line running 260 km.
These two substations will also have onwards connections to existing substations in Haryana, including the Patran substation of IndiGrid and three substations of PGCIL — Fatehabad, Sonipat and Jind.
Developers for seven schemes soon
Including the two schemes discussed in this story, there are at least seven ISTS-TBCB schemes where respective bid process coordinators have qualified bidders based on technical bids, for opening of initial price bids. These seven schemes are expected to be awarded by end-November 2024, going by current timelines.
PGCIL, AESL and Sterlite Power have technically qualified for each of the seven schemes, while Tata Power is in the fray for three.
ISTS-TBCB in H1FY25
As discussed in a recent special story by T&D India, the first half of FY25 saw 14 ISTS-TBCB schemes getting formally awarded to seven bidders. PGCIL was most successful with seven wins.
Also read: Four qualify for ISTS-TBCB scheme for Rajasthan RE evacuation
Featured photograph (source: Tata Power) is for representation only
