MWSS seeks bids for rehab of Angat turbines

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) is inviting bidders to apply for pre-qualification for the bidding of the rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of auxiliary turbines of the Angat Hydro Electric Power Plant (AHEPP).

In a notice published yesterday, the MWSS said prospective bidders would first be pre-qualified by the MWSS based on legal, technical and financial capability requirements.Those that prequalify must submit their bids in May 2013.

The rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of auxilliary turbines four and five of the power plant is the first hydro electric project under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program.

The AHEPP is an integrated powerhouse complex that contain four main tubines and five auxilliary turbines. Of the five auxiliary turbines, MWSS owns AN-4 and AN-5 which are currently underperforming. An estimated P1.155 billion is needed for the rehabilitation of the auxlliary units.

The rehabilitation of AN-4 and AN-5 will enable the units to perform at its cummulative minimum capacity of 28 megawatts (MW).

The modernization of the turbines will add 28 MW to the Luzon grid.

A fire that occured in May 2012 damaged auxiliary turbine 5, affecting the shared transformer of both auxiliary turbines.

The rehabilitation project was approved by the board of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) during its November 29, 2012 meeting.

Prospective bidders may obtain the invitation documents as well as the information memorandum at the Prequalification, Bid and Awards Committee office (PBAC)of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) of the MWSS upon payment of a non-refundable fee of P100,000.

The MWSS said it would release updates, clarifications, amendments, or additions to the project specifications in the course of the bidding process.

Prospective bidders may submit their applications to the MWSS PBAC not later than 2 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2013.