ADAG looks for contractor for Dadri plant

Within days of being berated by the government for demanding gas without even starting work on the Dadri project, an Anil Ambani group firm said on Thursday it has initiated the process for selection of contractors.

"Reliance Power has initiated International Competitive Bidding process for selection of EPC contractors for its 8,000 MW gas-based Dadri power project in UP and 4,000 MW dual-fuel based power project at Shahpur in Maharashtra," a company statement said.

Stating that Anil Ambani Group firm's project was neither installed nor operating, petroleum minister Murli Deora had earlier this week told Parliament that the Dadri project would be considered for allocation of gas along with similar other upcoming projects.

RPower said it had initiated the ICB process for selection of EPC contractors for its power plants way back in 2005 but not concluded owing to Mukesh Ambani promoted Reliance Industries Ltd's refusal to supply gas.

After getting a favourable verdict from the Bombay high court over supply of gas from RIL, RPower has re-initiated the bidding process for selection of the EPC contractors, it said.

Companies, including BHEL, Mitsubishi, Siemens, Alstom have evinced interest in participating in the bidding process for these projects, it claimed.

The public invitation for the same is expected shortly and the process will be concluded by September, 2009.