The contract calls for the detailed feasibility study for the Kambarata projects by early next year.

French energy utility Electricite de France (EDF) and international professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers were named as the lowest bidders for the study in late December 2007. Their bid was Rub73.8M (US$3.1M), excluding VAT

There were two rival bids for the study from SNC-Lavalin International and Mott MacDonald. The tender competition was launched in May 2007 and then the tender period was requested to be extended until fresh submissions were sought in September last year.

The bids were assessed under a three-way arrangement between Russia, the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan, each country was represented by an energy firm – Inter RAO UES, Elekricheskiye Stantsil and KazKuat, respectively.