Moscow, October 15, 2008. JSC Stantsiya Ekibastuzskaya GRES-2 (Republic of Kazakhstan) has issued a public invitation to tender for the provision of services of the Customer's Engineer under the project to upgrade and expand Ekibastuzskaya GRES-2 by installing power-generating unit No. 3. The Customer's Engineer is expected to monitor the project at all stages from the development of Tender Documentation for the selection of an EPC contractor to the commissioning of the third power-generating unit.

Under the tender terms, the winner of the tender is expected to provide comprehensive project management and monitoring services, including the organization of tendering to select an EPC contractor and the obtainment of such enabling documentation as may be required for the performance of construction work. Construction has been scheduled to complete by December 20, 2012.

The opening of tender envelopes is scheduled for November 07, 2008. The winner of the tender will be the one quoting the best price, as identified based on the criteria specified in the tender documentation, and offering the best terms for the provision of services.

The Tender Board comprises representatives of OJSC INTER RAO UES, JSC Samruk-Energo and JSC Stantsiya Ekibastuzskaya GRES-2. The Board Chairman is the representative of JSC Stantsiya Ekibastuzskaya GRES-2.  

The shareholders of Ekibastuzskaya GRES-2 are currently making arrangements for the implementation of the project to add a third power-generating unit to the station. The station currently operates 2 power-generating units of 500 MW installed capacity each.

Ekibastuzskaya GRES-2 is considered to be one of Kazakhstan's best-performing power-generating assets. When brought on stream, the third power-generating unit will increase the station's installed capacity by 50% (up to 1,525 MW) and meet the region's rising demand in electric power.

The joint efforts of JSC Stantsiya Ekibastuzskaya GRES-2 and shareholders have already achieved the following: a feasibility study for the project has been developed and agreed upon with all proper authorities; an opinion has been obtained from the Gosekspertiza state expert panel; a concept for the project implementation has been developed modeled on an EPC contract; mandates have been signed with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Eurasian Development Bank; technical, economic and environmental assessments of the project are in progress.

It is expected that main construction work will be launched next year once a contract with the EPC contractor is in place.