Kyrgyzstan has invited bids for engineering and geological surveys for a new hydropower plant on the Tar River, marking the start of the construction phase for the Nizhne-Tarskaya facility in the Osh region. The contract for these surveys is valued at 21 million soms, and the tender process is scheduled to remain open until April 15, 2026.
The initiative is part of a broader renewable energy development program supported by a 43.2 million dollar loan from the World Bank. The financing package, which carries no interest for 50 years and includes a ten-year grace period, covers both the construction of the 19-megawatt Nizhne-Tarskaya plant and the modernization of the existing Bystrovskaya hydropower station.
Upgrades at the Bystrovskaya plant, which currently has a capacity of 8.7 megawatts, are intended to increase turbine efficiency by up to 18 percent. This modernization is expected to provide an additional 7.2 million kilowatt-hours to the national grid annually without requiring the construction of new dams.
Preparation for these energy projects began in May 2025 when the state-owned company Chakan HPP started selecting consultants for technical and economic feasibility studies. A shortlist of five companies, narrowed down from an initial pool of 21 applicants, is currently awaiting approval from World Bank headquarters.
Companies bidding for the geological survey contract must meet specific qualification standards, including proof of specialized equipment and professional staff. Applicants are required to demonstrate a record of completing similar projects of equal value within the last five years. The contract terms provide a 15 percent advance payment, with the balance paid only after the final delivery and acceptance of the survey results.
