Adani Power to bid for all six coal blocks reserved for the power sector: Sources.

Adani Power is in race for all six coal blocks reserved for the power sector in the upcoming auction of 23 operational mines, while Jindal Steel & Power is eyeing four, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Hyderabad-based Madhucon Group's subsidiary, Simhapuri Energy, is expected to be a surprise bidder and may vie for all the coal blocks earmarked for the captive use of power producers.

The Tokisud North block that earlier belonged to GVK Power is expected to attract the highest number of bids. More than a dozen companies including Adani Power, Essar Power, GMR Energy, Jindal Power, Lanco Infratech, Sesa Sterlite, Tata Power and West Bengal Power Development Corp are likely to submit bids for this block that lies in the South Karnapura coalfields in Jharkhand, a coal ministry official said.

The block with 2.32 million tonnes of annual coal production capacity has rail connectivity within 2.5 kilometres.

Gare Palma IV/2 and IV/3 in Chhattisgarh, previously owned by Jindal Steel & Power, is also being eyed by close to a dozen companies. Besides Adani and Simhapuri, they include GMR Energy, Jindal Power, Lanco Infratech, Reliance Power, DB Power, Sesa Sterlite and KSK Energy.

The block has a capacity to produce 6.25 million tonnes a year, but the nearest rail head is about 55 km away.


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