UP to invite bids for 2,000-MW power project

The Uttar Pradesh government will soon invite competitive bids to set up a 2,000-MW thermal power project between Greater Noida and Bulandshahr, alongside the Yamuna Expressway. A proposal in this regard was approved by the state's Energy Task Force (ETF) at a meeting presided over by Chief Secretary Atul Kumar Gupta here yesterday, official sources said. Bids will be invited soon by the UP Power Corporation Limited from private companies, they said, adding that the corporation will arrange land, water and coal linkages for the plant. The contract will be awarded to the company that offers power at the lowest price to UPPCL. The ETF also approved a proposal to appoint Adani Energy Ltd as the mine developer for Orissa's Chendipara coal block, which will supply coal to UP for the next 25 years. The state has 50 per cent share in the Chendipara coal block. The ETF also approved UPPCL's proposal to award a contract to set up a 1,980-MW thermal power project at Bargarh, in Chitrakoot, to the company that agrees to sell the maximum quantum of electricity from the plant to the state. A proposal for setting up an additional 660-MW unit under the proposed 1,320-MW thermal plant at Bhognipur, near Kanpur, was also sanctioned.