Odisha has initiated the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mechanism for developing its intrastate transmission network.
Confirming this to T&D India over phone, a senior official of Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL), said that the newly-incorporated SPV “Joda Barbil Transmission Ltd” represents Odisha’s first attempt at developing its intrastate transmission network using the TBCB modality.
The said SPV was recently incorporated by bid process coordinator PFC Consulting Ltd (PFCCL) as a wholly-owned subsidiary. In turn, PFCCL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Power Finance Corporation (PFC).
PFCCL was appointed as consultant and bid process coordinator for this project by state transmission utility Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL) in December 2022.
This project SPV will develop an intrastate transmission scheme in Odisha, officially termed as “Construction of 400/220/132kV grid substations at Joda/Barbil with associated transmission lines.”
The overall project will involve construction of 400/220/132kV grid substation with associated transmission lines at Joda/Barbil and LILO of the 400kV double-circuit Kaniha-Bisra line at the proposed 400kV Joda substation.
As the bid process coordinator, PFCCL will select the developer for this scheme under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mechanism and the said project SPV will then be transferred to the winning developer (transmission service provider) thus selected.
Also read: TBCB Report Card For FY23: 8 Awarded, 6 Completed
TBCB in Odisha
Odisha, in late 2022, announced its intention of trying the TBCB model for development of intrastate transmission lines. This was done with a view to achieve commercial efficiency vis-à-vis projects developed by OPTCL under the RTM mechanism. Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC), in August 2021, also published a consultation paper on development of intrastate transmission system in Odisha through the TBCB route.
Technical consultant
According to information available with T&D India, PFCCL is in the process of selecting a technical consultant for this project who would be entrusted with the task of survey using modern survey techniques.
It is further learnt that two consultants – Pune-based Prasad Surveyors and New Delhi-based GIS Data Solutions – have technically qualified and are eligible to submit their financial bids, according to latest information available.
