The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Though there are no chances of getting any more competitors, the government extended the bid-submission deadline for contracting out the proposed 450-MW Sirajganj power-plant project.

According to official sources, now the last date for submission of bid for the Sirajganj project has been fixed January 31, instead of earlier date of September 25 this year.

So far, apart from a single bidder-Malaysia-based Powertek Barhad-none else has shown any interest in joining the final bidding for the project.

However, initially, five international bidders had vied for the project and three of them qualified in the pre-qualification round of bidding.

These three qualified bidders are Powertek, South Korea-based KEPCO and USA-based AES Corporation.

After the pre-qualification round, the Power Cell, a reform implementation wing of the Power Ministry which invited the bid, asked the bidders to submit their respective technical and financial offers in the final round of bidding under request for proposal (RfP) format. But only Powertek was found to be interested to get the project.

Powertek purchased the RFP documents for final bid submission. But the two other qualified bidders-KEPCO and AES-refrained from purchasing the documents. Rather, they have communicated to the government their unwillingness to further proceed.

Despite their messages, the Power Ministry recently decided to extend the time limit for the bid submission.

Industry-insiders were inquisitive about this decision as there is no scope for submission of bids without getting pre-qualified for the project.

In the meantime, the government has also been in a serious problem in dealing with a single bid for another proposed 450-MW power plant project where, again, the Powertek appeared to be a lone bidder.

Decision on acceptance of the single bid for the Bibiyana project remained pending for the government's highest policymaking body. Last week, the interim cabinet returned the Powertek's proposal to the Power Ministry for a further review.

As such, the Sirajganj project might be another problem for taking a decision as, so far, it has got a single proposal, the industry-insiders said, adding that "finally the government may go for re-tender".