The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The government is likely to go for re-tendering for two large power plants at Bibiyana and Sirajganj, with the capacity producing 450 MW electricity each, due to poor response from the pre-qualified bidders.

Taking charge of the government, the present caretaker government first invited tender for the 450 MW Bibiyana Project. Only the Malaysia-based Powertek Berhad has interested to submit the final bid for the large power project among the three qualified bidders, according to sources.

Powertek has already purchased the request for proposal (RFP) document to submit the final technical and financial offer, a high official at the Power Cell said.

Besides, two other qualified bidders AES Corporation of USA and the KEPCO of South Korea have already verbally informed that they would not compete for the final competition to get the project.

Power Cell Director General Mohammad Abdul Jalil, said the government is yet to take any decision on the Bibiyana Power Plant project. "We will sit with the Power Ministry next week to discuss the matter," he told the New Nation.

At the meeting, we evaluate the bid. Then the evaluation report is sent to the purchase committee of the government for final decision, he added.

Similar is the case with the Sirajganj power plant project, as only a single bidder Powertek who has also responsive bidder in Bibiyana project is now interested to participate in the Sirajganj power project. Besides, the other pre-qualified bidders have not yet shown their interest in the Sirajganj power project.

The Power Development Board (PDB) will buy electricity for the next 22 years with foreign currencies from the two power plants.