A call for pre-qualification of contractors for the engineer, procurement and construction (EPC) of the civils and mechanical works on the Vishnugad Pipalkoti hydropower scheme in India has been called by the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC).
Deadline for the expressions of interest is 27 February and the shortlisted contractors are expected to be invited to bid from around May.
THDC has applied for funding to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD – World Bank) for a loan towards the cost of the scheme in the state of Uttarakhand.
The 444MW project is to be built on the steep-sided Alaknanda river. It will involve construction of a 65m high dam, three desilting chambers, a 13.4km long by 8.8m wide headrace tunnel and a 130m high by 20m wide surge shaft. An underground powerhouse will hold four Francis turbines of 111MW capacity, and discharge via a 3.1km long tailrace tunnel.
THDC signed the implementation agreement for the project in mid-2006 with the state government. The scheme won technical and economic clearance to proceed in late 2006 and the World Bank began looking at possible funding support at that time.