NTPC to invite bids for main plant in mid-2011

2,640-MW GIDDERBAHA THERMAL POWER PROJECT

Power utility NTPC Ltd plans to invite tenders for the main plant package for its 2,640-mw (4x660) coalbased thermal power project at Gidderbaha in Muktsar district of Punjab sometime in the middle of 2011 and award the contract by December. The project, which is being developed at an estimated cost of15,000 crore, is scheduled to be commissioned by 2016-17. The power plant will benefit Punjab and other states and union territories in the Northern Region.

NTPC had asked the CEA for year-wise power demand-andsupply projections for the Northern Region for the 12th Plan (2012-2017) to enable the utility to justify the power supply position for the project. Accordingly, CEA worked out the anticipated supply position for the 12th Plan, considering the under-construction schemes, and informed NTPC that power from the project would be fully absorbed in 2016-17, thus according inprinciple clearance to the viability of the project. The Punjab government has agreed to help with land acquisition and water allocation for the project against the allocation of 50 per cent of power to the state. The government has given inprinciple clearance for about 2,316 acres of land for the project. NTPC signed the PPA with Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd last month.

The power project, which would be funded entirely by NTPC, will be the state's biggest thermal power plant and is expected to boost economic development in the region. 

The combined capacity of the Gidderbaha TPP along with four other upcoming mega thermal plants at Talwandi Sabo, Goindwal, Rajpura and Mansa will be 10,590 mw and the total investment is nearly 53,000 crore.

Source:-http://www.projectsmonitor.com/POWDIST/ntpc-to-invite-bids-for-main-plant-in-mid2011