(CONSULTING SERVICES – Individual Consultant Selection)

COUNTRY: Uzbekistan

NAME OF PROJECT: Electricity Sector Transformation and Resilient Transmission (ESTART) Project

Grant No.: TB0B5948-UZ

Assignment Title: Engagement of an Individual consultant in Relay Protection and Emergency Automation (RPEA) under the Electricity Sector Transformation and Resilient Transmission (ESTART) Project

Reference No.: ESTART/ICS/2025-1

I Background

1. The Government of Uzbekistan (GoU) has initiated ambitious energy sector reforms that envisage introducing competitive market principles in the sector management and operations. GoU has prepared and approved an Electricity Sector Reform Implementation Plan, which outlines the priority power sector reform actions, their sequence and timeline, required resources for the effective corporatization and commercialization of the newly unbundled electricity companies, and key areas of electricity sector reform for IFI support.

2. According to the sector reform plans, JSC National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan (NEGU) will be maintained as the government-owned central utility responsible for planning, designing, developing, operating, and maintaining the power transmission system in Uzbekistan. The company will also be the operational backbone of a new electricity market to be put in place in Uzbekistan. Further, with the rapid expansion of the power system in Uzbekistan, including large-scale Renewable Energy (RE) and gas-fired projects promoted and financed by the private sector, investments in modernization, expansion and digitalization of the aged transmission infrastructure will also need to be accelerated to keep pace with power generation expansion and growing electricity demand to ensure secured, reliable, and affordable electricity supply to households, businesses, and industries. Modern digital technologies shall be therefore embedded in transformation of the power grid infrastructure and commercialization of the transmission company.

3. The GoU has also initiated transmission and distribution expansion and rehabilitation plans to 2030 (building on the generation expansion plan) aimed at improving the grid reliability, facilitating grid integration of large-scale RE and gas-fired IPPs as well as strengthening regional connectivity and trade. An Energy Sector Digitalization Strategy has also been developed and adopted by the GoU on May 30, 2019, which envisages the introduction of modern digital solutions, such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)/Energy Management System (EMS) for the transmission and system operations, advanced metering infrastructure, modernization of telecommunication systems, and integration of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), among others. This would also contribute to the corporate transformation and commercialization of newly unbundled utilities.

4. In this context, the World Bank is developing the Electricity Sector Transformation and Resilient Transmission (ESTART) Project to improve the capacity and reliability of the national power transmission system and integrate large-scale renewable energy sources into the grid. The Project has the following four components to be implemented between 2021 and 2026 with a total estimated cost of US$500mln:

(i) Component 1: Digitalization of the electricity transmission sector: This component will take advantage of modern digital technologies to support the enhanced monitoring, automation, and control of the power system in Uzbekistan. Digital technologies to be deployed under this component would comprise SCADA, EMS, substation Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and optical ground wire (OPGW). The component will also support an upgrade of JSC NEGU’s digital telecommunication network to enable those systems to be fully functional.

• Subcomponent 1.1 - Strengthening Power System Control and Dispatch. This subcomponent will finance introduction of a new SCADA/EMS for JSC NEGU’s central and regional control centers and installation of Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) in key transmission substations and power plants to replace the existing outdated control and dispatch systems installed during the Soviet era.

• Subcomponent 1.2 - Modernization of telecommunication networks. The development of a fast and broad bandwidth telecommunication network at the national level is key for successful introduction of modern management systems such as SCADA/EMS. This subcomponent will finance modernization and upgrade of JSC NEGU’s telecommunication network through installation of modern ground wires with embedded optical fibers in them, namely OPGW, and establishment of other telecommunication media including radio communication.

(i) Component 2: Power grid strengthening and renewable energy integration (Scope of the required Consultancy Services in this ToR). This component will finance a portion of the JSC NEGU’s priority investment program for 2021–2026, including rehabilitation, upgrade and expansion of existing high-v oltage substations and construction of a new 500/220 kV substation with related 500kV and 220kV overhead transmission lines to connect this new substation to the national grid. The investments would also enable the grid integration of approximately 1,500 MW of solar IPPs, including under the World Bank Group Scaling Solar Program. Details of the related works and investment plan are in Annex [1].

• Subcomponent 2.1 - Power Grid Modernization. This subcomponent aims to modernize 22 priority substations of JSC NEGU. According to a technical audit conducted by the GoU, 62 obsolete substations, out of the existing 78 high-voltage electricity transmission substations, require immediate rehabilitation and modernization. Those aged substations have deteriorated reliability, quality, resilience, and efficiency of electricity supply and hence increased losses and maintenance costs and are a barrier for integration of large-scale renewable energy projects to the grid.

In this context, the GoU has requested the World Bank to support the modernization of additional 22 priority 110kV, 220kV, and 500 kV substations located in Andijan, Bukhara, Fergana, Kashkadarya, Khorezm, Navoi, Samarkand, Surkhandarya, Syrdarya, Tashkent regions and Tashkent city. The subcomponent will finance rehabilitation of these substations including replacement and expansion of substation transformers and introduction of modern technologies such as gas-insulated circuit breakers and digital relay protection, which will ensure reliable and efficient operations of those substations.

• Subcomponent 2.2 - Power Grid Expansion. This subcomponent aims to support construction of the new 500 kV ‘Koltsevaya’ substation with related 500kV and 220kV overhead transmission lines for the connection of this new substation to the grid. The proposed substation would increase the capacity of the transmission network to meet increasing demand and improve the reliability and resilience of electricity supply for residential, industrial, commercial, and public consumers in the central parts of Uzbekistan, where the transmission networks are currently overloaded with a lot of outages and interruptions during the last years.

The proposed new 500 kV ‘Koltsevaya’ substation to be located in Tashkent region will be equipped with two 500/220/10 kV autotransformers in the capacity of 801 MVA each. The substation will be connected with the Tashkent 500 kV substation and Syrdarya TPP by new 500 kV overhead transmission lines with the total length of 72 km, and with Keles, Ozodlik, and Yuksak 220 kV substations by new 220 kV overhead transmission lines with the total length of 213 km. Details of the related works for Component 2 are in Annex 1.

(ii) Component 3: JSC NEGU’s institutional development and project implementation support. This component will support developing and improving the institutional capacity, financial substantiality and technical capabilities of JSC NEGU to ensure it can effectively carry out its functions of reliable operation of the transmission system and electricity market in Uzbekistan. It will also support the preparation of feasibility studies, Environmental and Social assessments and capacity building, preparation and implementation of priority investments, especially for integration of RE sources. The component will include the following subcomponents: (i) Modernization of JSC NEGU’s business process. This subcomponent will finance the procurement, installation and integration of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system at JSC NEGU and its subsidiaries as well as support capacity development of JSC NEGU’s key staff; (ii) JSC NEGU’s financial sustainability and preparatory work to access commercial financing; (iii) JSC NEGU’s institutional capacity building and project implementation support; and (iv) Technical supervision consultancy. This subcomponent would finance activities, including consultancies, related to implementation and technical supervision of the project digitalization solutions (SCADA/EMS/RTU, telecommunications systems, and ERP) and infrastructure investments for the transmission network/grid, which are covered under this ToR for the Power grid strengthening and renewable energy integration related works of Component 2 described above.

(iii) Component 4: Electricity Market Development. This component will provide technical assistance for the design and implementation of the electricity sector’s transition plan toward the establishment of a wholesale electricity market and will include preparation of secondary legislation, market rules, institutional capacity building as well as design and implementation of systems required for market operation and management.

 

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of the consultancy is to assist ESTART Project’s Project Implementation Unit (PIU) with technical support, expert review, and coordination of design solutions for Relay Protection and Emergency Automation (RPEA) systems during the working documentation stage under Subcomponent 2.1, and to supervise commissioning works under Subcomponent 2.2.

SCOPE OF WORK:

Stage 1 – Review and approval of working documentation in the Subcomponent 2.1(Power grid modernization)

The Consultant shall perform:

• Technical review and verification of working documentation for RPEA, Automatic Transfer, Automatic Reclosing, Load Shedding, and other protection and automation systems;

• Verification of compliance with applicable regulations, client’s technical requirements, and grid company standards;

• Preparation of comments and recommendations for optimization of RPEA schemes;

• Participation in meetings with the design organization and the client;

• Preparation of a final report on documentation compliance and readiness for approval.

 

Stage 2 – Technical supervision and participation in commissioning within Subcomponent 2.2 (new 500 kV ‘Koltsevaya’ substation and related 500kV and 220kV overhead transmission lines)

 The Specialist shall perform:

• Supervision of installation and commissioning works on RPEA systems at 220/500 kV substations and lines;

• Verification of relay settings, wiring schemes, and conformity with design documentation;

• Review of test reports and commissioning documentation;

• Participation in integrated tests and verification of RPEA system interactions;

• Preparation of a final technical supervision report.

 

Consultant’s Qualifications

• Higher education (electrical engineering);

• At least 10 years of experience in RPEA for 220–500 kV facilities;

• Experience in documentation review and commissioning;

• Knowledge of relevant Uzbek regulations and standards;

• It is envisaged a Consultant is fluent in English and Russian, while Uzbek language is desirable.

• Electrical safety clearance level V.

• Excellent communications, coordination, and report preparation skills

 

DELIVERABLES

Stage 1 – Review of Working Documentation (Subcomponent 2.1)

• Technical review report on RPEA, Automatic Transfer, Automatic Reclosing, Load Shedding, and other protection and automation system documentation;

• Consolidated comments and recommendations for optimization and compliance;

• Final report confirming documentation compliance and readiness for approval.

Stage 2 – Technical Supervision and Commissioning (Subcomponent 2.2)

• Periodic supervision and verification reports on installation and commissioning of RPEA systems;

• Summary of reviewed test and commissioning documentation;

• Final report on technical supervision results and system readiness for operation.

General

• Monthly timesheet and Work Completion Certificate for approved hours;

• Final consolidated report summarizing activities and key findings across both stages.

 

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

The assignment will be implemented on a time-based, intermittent basis throughout the implementation of several subprojects under Subcomponents 2.1 and 2.2. The Specialist will provide inputs as required, depending on the progress of design, installation, and commissioning activities related to relay protection and emergency automation (RPEA) systems.

For each set of working documentation received, the Specialist is expected to spend on average 2 working days for technical review, preparation of comments, and submission of a summary note. Supervision and commissioning activities will require additional time, to be determined according to the site and testing schedules.

The overall level of effort under this assignment is estimated at up to six (6) person-months, to be utilized intermittently over the project implementation period as requested by the Client’s representative.

REPORTING

All documents and comments prepared by the Consultant shall be submitted electronically in editable formats (DOCX, XLS) and finalized in PDF.
All submissions shall be provided in English and Russian languages.

The Consultant shall report to JSC NEGU’s PIU and shall work closely with the relevant departments of JSC NEGU, as deemed necessary.

The Consultant shall provide review results and related materials on an ongoing basis, immediately upon completion of each assigned task or document review. Each submission shall include the reviewed documentation, the Consultant’s comments, and recommendations for revision or approval.

Where supervision or commissioning support is provided, the Consultant shall submit brief technical notes or supervision summaries following each activity.

PAYMENT TERMS

Basis of Payment:

The remuneration shall be made on a time-based basis, calculated according to the actual number of hours (or days, as applicable) worked and certified by the Client’s authorized representative.

Rate:

The hourly rate shall be established based on the approved contract budget and the agreed scope of work, as stated in the Contract. The rate shall be inclusive of all applicable taxes, fees, social charges, and the Consultant’s overheads.

Reporting and Invoicing:

The Consultant shall, at the end of each month, submit:

• a Timesheet Report indicating the number of hours worked; and

 

• a Work Completion (or Performance) Certificate, to be reviewed and approved by the Client’s representative.

 

Payment requests shall be supported by these documents.

 

Payment Processing:

Payment shall be made by bank transfer to the Consultant’s designated account within ten (10) banking days after the Client’s approval and signing of the Work Completion Certificate.

 

Adjustments:

Any changes in the scope of work, hourly rate, or duration of the assignment shall be formalized through a written amendment (addendum) to the Contract, signed by both Parties

 

JSC NEGU now invites eligible individual consultants (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. A firm will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Following this invitation for Expressions of Interest, a shortlist of qualified Consultants will be formally invited to submit proposals.

 

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be downloaded on the below link:

https://cloud.uzbekistonmet.uz/index.php/s/SwmYZoNZWkx5ZAj

 

Further information can be obtained using the e-mail: pmu.modernization@gmail.com

 

Expressions of Interest, along with relevant supporting documentation, should be submitted in English and Russian (Russian will prevail) by email to pmu.modernization@gmail.com no later than 11:00 local time on December 10, 2025.

 

Information service of JSC «National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan» 

http://t.me/uzmetaxborotxizmati