Hello,
Here is our latest ‘power-packed’ investigation on how decisions are made in the corridors of power.
Our team investigated how the Rajasthan government floated a tender for the procurement of 3,200 MW of power from coal-based thermal plants that any company sets up within the state boundaries.
What is wrong with it? To start with, the tender has been put out without the mandatory approval from the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC). Moreover, India’s apex power planning body, the Central Electricity Authority, has held that considering Rajasthan’s current thermal capacity, only about 1,905 MW of additional capacity needs to be procured by 2035-36. Rajasthan, however, disagrees with this and is contesting it.
Also, Adani Power Ltd seems best-placed to bag it. It is already in the preparatory stage of expanding its 1,320 MW Kawai Thermal Power Plant in Rajasthan - voila - by exactly 3,200 MW. What is interesting is that the tender stipulates that the entire capacity must be based in Rajasthan. Another point secured.
The icing on the cake is that Adani Power has already placed orders for essential equipment for thermal power plants.
Is this the first time that tenders are being tailor-made? No
Last year, the Rajasthan government issued a tailor-made tender, which could have specifically provided an advantage to the Adani Group. The tender was nixed after an investigation by The Reporters’ Collective and criticism from the experts and other stakeholders.
Read our latest investigation here: Rajasthan Govt’s Tender Spot For Adani
We are able to publish these detailed and evidence-based reports only because of the generous and consistent support from our supporters. Every bit of your support keeps us alive and encourages us. Please donate to keep us going.
Warm Regards,
Mayank Aggarwal
Editor
The Reporters’ Collective