State calls global tenders to buy power
3,000 MW needs to be procured to overcome crisis
Naveen S Garewal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 27
The state government has decided to call global tenders to procure 3,000 MW of electricity to overcome power crisis.

The decision was taken recently at a meeting by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal following a brainstorming session concluded that none of the power projects initiated by the current or even the previous government would become functional before the next general elections.

Though the government will shortly float global tenders, officials are sceptical if the government will be able to procure it.

At present, the state’s power availability is short by 30 per cent of the requirement (estimated to be about 7,870 MW, while the peak availability is 6,800 MW).

The decision was taken after it became clear that power position in next three years is likely to remain the same. “So why not buy power to meet shortage. Besides, the shortage has a potential to affect poll outcome in the general elections”, a senior official said.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has already announced that four thermal plant conceived in two years by the SAD-BJP government will not be operational before 2012 while the SAD-BJP’s 2,640-MW Gidderbaha power plant may take even longer. Work at power projects at Talwandi Saboo (1980 MW) and Rajpura (1320 MW) is yet to start.

Punjab has already floated global tenders for the purchase of 1,800 MW on long-term basis. The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) that put out its requirement almost two months ago is yet to receive any concrete proposal though proposals will continue to be received till October 8. The PSEB has invited bids from supplier who can provide at least 50 MW on a long-term basis.

The Central Electricity Authority had projected that the state would suffer massive shortage with the peak demand in 2009-10 estimated at 9,110 MW while the peak availability was estimated at 6,540 MW.

The government has also decided to set up a 1,000 MW gas-based power plant for which the PSEB has entered into an agreement with the Gas Authority of India (GAIL) for the supply of gas to the proposed plant on the premises of Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant, Ropar.

A spokesperson for the government said a tender had been issued for inviting bids for rendering consultancy and services for lump-sum work on Turnkey basis for obtaining an environmental clearance and an NOC.