NTPC the only bidder for Tamil Nadu UMPP.

NTPC, the state-owned thermal power generation giant, might lose the chance to build its first ultra mega power project (UMPPs), as the government is likely to scrap the bidding process for the Cheyyur UMPP in Tamil Nadu. There is also a likelihood that bids for Odisha UMPP would also be shelved as NTPC and NHPC are the only bidders in race for it.

A bid evaluation committee headed by V K Shunglu, ex-Comproller and Auditor General of India would send its recommendations by January 5 to the ministry of power which would take the final call on both UMPPs. The bids for Odisha UMPP are to be opened on January 7.

In wake of other six potential bidders, all from the private sector, withdrawing from the race citing regulatory issues in the bidding format, officials said that the just one quote can't be accepted under Central Vigilance Commision guidelines.

'There has to be at least three bid quotes for choosing the final winner. Since, it's a public sector undertaking that has remained in the race, the situation is even peculiar,' said a senior government official in the know of the matter.

The 4,000-MW Cheyyur UMPP, worth Rs. 25,000 crore, is to be fuelled with imported coal. Among the private players in the fray were Adani Power, CLP India, Jindal Steel & power, JSW Energy, Sterlite Energy and Tata Power. Of these, the only four that had bought the 'request for proposal' document also decided not to go further in the bidding process.

BS