Kambarata-1: Construction of the Naryn Hydropower Plant to Start Within Two Years — What It Means for Suppliers

What happened

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said construction of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant on the Naryn River will begin within one to two years. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will implement the project jointly. Kun.uz reported this.

The station is one of the largest hydropower projects in the region. For Uzbekistan, taking part means not only importing electricity in the future but also involving local contractors and suppliers in the construction phase. For now, the talk is about start dates, not specific tenders: procurement procedures will appear later as the construction schedule takes shape and contracts are distributed among the participating countries.

What it means for suppliers

The project is interesting first of all to those working in construction, energy and logistics. Building a hydropower plant means earthworks, concrete, steel structures, hydraulic equipment, cable products, special machinery, and delivery of goods to mountainous terrain. Uzbek companies can compete for subcontracts and supplies if they get into the supply chains of the main contractor.

According to TenderLabs data, 1,715 lots are currently open in construction and 715 in energy. This shows the procurement market in these sectors is active, and suppliers have work to do right now, without waiting for the project to start.

When might tenders appear? Statements about a start in one or two years mean the first procurement announcements will most likely not appear immediately. But preparation should begin in advance: large infrastructure projects require proven qualifications, experience with similar supplies, and financial stability. If you supply equipment or materials, it makes sense to build your portfolio in advance and check whether you meet the typical qualification requirements of energy sector buyers.

What to do now

1. 1Check which sectors you work in and assess whether they overlap with hydropower construction: building materials, metal, cable, special machinery, logistics.
2. 2Assemble and update your document package: proof of experience, certificates, financial statements. This will be useful for any qualification.
3. 3Set up monitoring of procurement in construction and energy on TenderLabs so you don't miss the first announcements on the project and related works.
4. 4Find out who in Uzbekistan already takes part in energy projects and consider partnering with them as a subcontractor.
5. 5Check that you have an electronic digital signature and access to tender participation — without this you cannot submit a bid when a suitable lot appears.

The project is still at the stage of statements about timing. But right now is a convenient time to prepare your base so that by the time the first procurements come, you are ready rather than catching up.

Photo: Kun.uz