Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) has set a deadline of 20 January for contractor prequalification on the Naitwar Mori project in India, and for consultants to seek prequalification for the Arun III project in Nepal.
Naitwar Mori, in the state of Uttrakhand, is to be built on the Tons river, a tributary of the Yamuna. It will have a 30.5m high barrage, diversion channel, twin desilting chambers of 130m length, a headrace tunnel almost 4.3km long and a tailrace channel.
In early 2008 the state-owned utility originally invited turnkey contractors to prequalify for the 56MW (previously 34.5MW) underground/surface plant. The powerhouse is to have two 28MW Francis turbines (previously three 11MW) and generate approximately 240GWh of electricity in a 90% dependable year.
However, the prequalification process for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract was repeatedly reset. In early plans almost two years ago, the company said the scheme had to be finished by 2012. The prequalification process is for the scheme to be fully completed within 36 months.
SJVN also reset the submission deadline for consultants to seek prequalification for Arun III to 20 January from dates in August and September last year.
The company is developing the 402MW project on a build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis. It was awarded the concession for the project 10 months ago.
Civils works include a 68m high dam, four underground desilting chambers, a surge shaft, a 11km long headrace tunnel and a 161m long by 22m wide by 35m high powerhouse cavern. The plant is to have six Pelton turbines each of 67MW capacity.
The winning consultant is to get a two year contract to prepare the feasibility, design and bid materials, and undertake the necessary investigations, such as environmental impact assessment and geological studies. The project is located at the Arun river, a tributary of the Sapt Koshi.
SJVN is a joint venture of the Government of India and the State Government of Himachal Pradesh.