India Launches 10th City Gas Bidding Round
Just a few months after wrapping up the ninth city gas distribution (CGD) bidding round, India November 6 launched the 10th.
Indian downstream regulator Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has opened 50 areas for bidding under the 10th round. These areas are in 12 states - Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. Bids are due by February 5, according to PNGRB.
The entities bidding shall be required to lay, build, operate or expand the CGD networks to meet requirement of natural gas in domestic, commercial and industrial segments including natural gas in the vehicular segment.
During the ninth round 86 areas covering 174 districts in 22 states and union territories were open for bidding. Technical bids were opened by PNGRB during July 12-18. A total of 406 bids were received for the 86 areas; and 35 entities participated in the process. Private sector firm Adani Gas won the highest number of licences. According to PNGRB, the ninth round is likely to attract investments of rupees 700bn ($10bn).
To address the issue of air pollution, India is expanding the usage of cleaner fuels like natural gas. The government is targeting raising share of natural gas in the energy mix to 15% from 7% at present.