Reliance Power Limited ineligible for 3 UMPPs: Panel

New Delhi: Calling for a probe into award of three ultra mega power projects to Reliance Power, a Parliamentary panel on Wednesday said the power ministry selected an “ineligible bidder” for Tilaiya, Sasan and Krishnapatnam projects. Report by Parliament’s PAC was tabled in Parliament a day after Reliance Power pulled out Tilaiya power project in Jharkhand, citing inordinate delay in land acquisition.

 

The damning report by the PAC headed by Congress leader K.V. Thomas, expressed serious concern over the manner in which ultra mega power projects (UMPPs) were awarded. The PAC said Reliance Power “which did not fulfill the minimum technical qualifying criteria stipulated...was selected as the successful bidder” for these projects with 3,960 MW capacity each.

 

It wanted a probe into how an “ineligible” company walked away with UMPPs. When contacted, a Reliance Power spokesperson said, “The matter is subjudice and pending in Supreme Court.” UMPP is a coal-based power project with 4,000 MW generation capacity.

 

Surplus coal from Chitrangi mine, which was to supply feedstock for the Sasan project so that it generates power at bid cost of Rs 1.19 a unit, was allowed to be diverted to the firm’s other power project whose tariff is already fixed based on coal linkage from costlier sources.