Industrial Decarbonization of Uzbekistan's Special Economic Zones

What the contract asks for. Subtask 1(a): Inception package. The Consulting firm shall prepare an inception package to confirm scope, methodology, outputs, sequencing, and coordination arrangements with the Ministry of Energy (MoE), the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade (MIIT) and ADB. The package shall include a detailed workplan (including criteria for the drafting of the decarbonization pathways), a data acquisition plan, and a stakeholder engagement plan for the SEZ. (16) The consulting firm will send a selected delegation of experts to participate at an in-person meeting within the first 3 weeks from the sign of the contract, unless otherwise agreed. The kick-off meeting shall involve MOE, MIIT and other key stakeholders to establish communication protocols, review study goals, confirm roles and responsibilities, and agree on reporting lines and review cycles. (17) The inception package confirms methodology, data needs and sources, stakeholder map, risk register, preliminary analytical framework, and the draft outline of the Feasibility Study. A detailed schedule of activities and a monitoring plan for Tasks are maintained, including progress indicators, internal quality assurance steps, and timing for draft and final deliverables. The inception package is presented for comments and finalized after incorporating agreed revisions.

What the contract asks for. Subtask 2(f): Final feasibility study. The consulting firm shall synthesize all findings from the preceding subtasks into a comprehensive Final Feasibility Study Report, fully compliant with the requirements of the ADB Operations Manual for Sector Development Programs. The report shall provide a clear and evidence-based foundation for subsequent investment and policy actions. (55) The Final Feasibility Study Report must include, at a minimum: (i) An executive summary that concisely presents the main findings, recommendations, and the rationale for the proposed decarbonization investments in the SEZ. (ii) A detailed baseline analysis, including the current industrial, energy, and emissions profile of the SEZ, and a summary of data sources and methodologies used. (iii) A thorough mapping of existing technologies and processes, highlighting key energy-consuming systems, emissions sources, and digital infrastructure. (iv) A rigorous evaluation of decarbonization pathways, including technical and economic feasibility assessments, emissions reduction potential, and implementation scenarios. (v) A proposed investment roadmap for the SEZ, detailing sequencing, phasing, and dependencies on policy actions (see Task 2), and outlining subproject selection criteria along with procurement approaches (including PPP). (vi) An assessment of environmental, social, and economic impacts, including safeguards screening in accordance with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement and national regulations. (vii) An implementation chapter that addresses project readiness, institutional arrangements, capacity needs, and risk mitigation strategies, and that clearly links the feasibility study's recommendations to the requirements for ADB project processing and approval. (viii) An assessment of the replicability and scalability of the proposed investments and interventions, identifying the technical, regulatory, financial, and institutional conditions required for replication across other SEZs and industrial clusters, identifying which measures are site-specific and which can be standardized and rolled out at scale, with a practical framework, including prioritization criteria and implementation requirements, for future replication across the SEZ network. (ix) Technical annexes containing supporting data, assumptions, calculations, and any additional analyses required for transparency and due diligence. (59) The result of the task will be presented in an in-person or hybrid workshop.

What the contract asks for. Clause 2: brief monthly progress reports, in a format agreed with ADB, summarizing progress, issues and next steps, submitted every month until the end of the Services; they are not paid separately and are a condition of good standing for every claim. The closure pack collects approvals, claims, personnel and equipment evidence for the final statement within the contractual window.

What the contract asks for. Subtask 1(b): SEZ infrastructure assessment. The Consulting Firm shall undertake an initial assessment of infrastructure and service gaps relevant to industrial operations in a selected set of SEZs. This subtask will be desktop based and shall focus on identifying infrastructure gaps and service constraints affecting the performance of SEZs. (19) The assessment shall review and synthesize available infrastructure condition and status reports, SEZ master plans, utility development plans, SEZ development programs, and related diagnostics, and compile a baseline overview of key infrastructure gaps. (20) The same baseline shall be organized to assess whether infrastructure such as engineering and communications infrastructure expectations are being implemented as intended, including the existence and adequacy of budget support and the extent to which relevant development programs are executed. (21) The assessment shall synthesize and summarize the findings across the reviewed SEZs, identifying priority infrastructure and service gaps and estimating associated investment needs, including indicative cost ranges. The analysis shall also assess whether alternative delivery models or technical solutions could complement or substitute planned infrastructure investments, such as on-site or off-site renewable energy solutions (e.g. solar PV, hybrid systems), shared utility systems, or other measures that improve service reliability and reduce infrastructure costs. Building on the infrastructure assessment, the Consulting Firm shall develop a transparent and replicable framework for prioritizing SEZs for future investment and support across the national SEZ network. The framework shall define screening criteria, indicators, scoring methodologies, and data requirements. The results shall identify priority candidates for future infrastructure modernization, industrial decarbonization investments, and deployment of sustainability systems.

What the contract asks for. Subtask 2(a): Baseline assessment. The Consulting firm shall compile and present a comprehensive baseline assessment of the SEZ, drawing on all existing data and studies. This assessment shall include, but is not limited to: (i) Detailed site and infrastructure characteristics, including electrical interconnections, substations, gas and steam networks, land use, and internal logistics; (ii) An inventory of industrial facilities by subsector, with descriptions of main processes and production volumes; (iii) Economic and financial performance, market analysis, and risk assessment of key industries; (iv) Institutional and policy context, including governance, capacity, and ongoing and/or planned reforms; (v) Baseline environmental conditions and compliance status; and (vi) Gender and social inclusion baseline assessment for the SEZ and surrounding communities. (37) The Consulting firm shall organize and synthesize all available datasets, technical reports, audits, and prior assessments into a clear and accessible format, highlighting the current state of the SEZ and its readiness for decarbonization interventions. (38) It will be necessary a site visit the SEZ to gather all required data. During this visit, the exact study area can be formally identified, including or excluding specific geographical regions as appropriate in consultation with MIIT and MOE. (39) Any critical data gaps or inconsistencies identified during this baseline assessment shall be clearly flagged, with recommendations for targeted follow-up or additional data collection in subsequent tasks, if necessary. [Initially selected SEZ: Navoi SEZ (TOR par. 12).]

What the contract asks for. Subtask 2(b): Technology and process mapping. The consulting firm undertakes a systematic mapping of the SEZ's industrial processes and energy systems. This involves cataloguing all major industrial activities within the SEZ, detailing unit operations, production flows, and the types of equipment and machinery in use. Special attention must be paid to identifying the most energy-intensive processes, including both thermal and electrical loads. (41) The technology and process mapping shall further assess how the identified industrial processes, energy systems, and emissions profiles translate into infrastructure and service requirements for existing or future SEZs, thereby informing the assessment of infrastructure needs and intervention priorities beyond the selected SEZ. The mapping also extends to the digital landscape of the SEZ, documenting the presence, functionality, and utilization of control systems, energy management platforms, and automation technologies that may facilitate or constrain the adoption of advanced decarbonization solutions. (42) The consulting firm will also evaluate direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, using available monitoring data and, where necessary, engineering estimates to pinpoint specific operations or equipment that contribute disproportionately to the SEZ's overall emissions profile.

What the contract asks for. Subtask 2(c): Decarbonization pathways analysis. The Consulting firm will evaluate different decarbonization pathways for the SEZ and its constituent facilities, systematically assessing each option for technical feasibility, emissions abatement potential, implementation phasing, integration requirements, and operational impacts. The analysis shall be structured to produce solutions that are directly usable for the preparation of financing operations focused on improving country SEZs service delivery, reliability, and adequacy. In this context, the assessment will prove how infrastructure needs may be addressed through decarbonization solutions rather than relying solely on conventional network expansion. The Consulting Firm can therefore propose renewable energy, storage, and/or hybrid solutions and justify them through their contribution to service continuity and infrastructure adequacy. The Consulting Firm shall also assess the exposure of key industries within the selected SEZ to international carbon-related trade measures. (44) The Consulting firm will conduct detailed economic and financial analyses for each pathway, utilizing appropriate cost models, applying relevant discount rates, and performing sensitivity analyses. (45) Opportunities for intervention will be classified by technology family, distinguishing between mature measures and emerging options, including green hydrogen production and consumption, battery and thermal storage, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). This classification will be informed by international best practices and ADB sector guidance to ensure that recommended pathways are both technically robust and contextually appropriate. The readiness level of each technology will be summarized, highlighting prerequisites such as workforce skills, regulatory approvals, and supply chain maturity. (46) The Consulting firm will evaluate technical and logistical constraints and enabling factors for each pathway, including the availability of space, utilities, and interconnection capacity, as well as compatibility with existing processes and operational requirements, and ease of integration. The Consulting firm will consider both system-level measures (such as SEZ-level renewable power procurement, grid upgrades, on-site storage, and smart energy management) and facility-level interventions, proposing coherent portfolios that minimize cost per ton abated and avoid stranded assets. The analysis shall explicitly link the recommended portfolios to (i) the SEZ's service delivery requirements and reliability constraints, and (ii) the SEZ's external engineering and communications infrastructure expectations and implementation arrangements, including whether budget support and development programs are being executed as intended. (47) In addition, building on the technology and process mapping, the Consulting Firm will demonstrate how the SEZ's industrial process profile and projected load evolution imply future infrastructure requirements for new or expanding SEZ territories, and how this should inform the prioritization and design of scalable interventions beyond the selected SEZ.

What the contract asks for. Subtask 3(a): Digital infrastructure assessment. The consulting firm will conduct a detailed review of the digital systems and data infrastructure supporting SEZ service provision. The assessment shall map existing digital platforms, connectivity, data flows, and management practices relevant to energy management, infrastructure services, and environmental performance. The assessment shall also evaluate the readiness of selected SEZs for deployment of SEZ-level MRV systems. The output of this subtask will be a diagnostic report summarizing findings from the digital infrastructure review and highlighting priority areas for intervention.

What the contract asks for. Subtask 3(b): Identification of priority digital solutions. Building on the infrastructure assessment, this subtask will identify and recommend priority digital solutions that support decarbonization, efficient service provision, and potentially EIP-aligned SEZ operations. (64) The analysis will include energy management systems, CO2 monitoring and reporting tools, MRV and data management platforms, service performance monitoring systems, utility management platforms, and digital solutions supporting infrastructure service management, coordination, and standardized reporting across SEZs. (65) The consulting firm will evaluate available technologies against international best practices and Uzbekistan's regulatory requirements, proposing solutions that are scalable, cost-effective, compatible with existing systems, and able to support standardized monitoring and performance tracking across SEZs. Priority shall be given to solutions that support both emissions monitoring and operational service performance monitoring, including utility reliability, infrastructure service delivery, and key SEZ performance indicators.

What the contract asks for. Subtask 3(c): MRV system development and carbon market readiness analysis. The Consulting Firm shall design an MRV framework aligned with international best practices to support transparent tracking of emissions reductions at facility and SEZ levels. The framework shall be operationally defined and shall specify system boundaries, data requirements, reporting protocols, calculation methodologies, verification arrangements, governance structures, institutional responsibilities, reporting workflows, etc. The proposed framework shall provide sufficient operational detail to support implementation, piloting, and future scale-up across the SEZ network. (66) In parallel, the Consulting Firm shall assess Uzbekistan's readiness for carbon market participation and trade-related compliance, including institutional, regulatory, and technical requirements for integrating MRV systems with domestic and international mechanisms, and for supporting CBAM-compliant industrial exports.

What the contract asks for. Subtask 3(d): Strategic deployment plan and integration roadmap. This subtask will develop a strategic plan for the deployment of recommended digital technologies in Uzbekistan's SEZs. (68) The plan will outline phased implementation steps, including a rollout strategy across selected SEZs. Integration strategies with national systems and ongoing initiatives will be detailed, ensuring interoperability and centralized oversight. The consulting firm will provide cost estimates, and capacity-building plans to support effective deployment. Recommendations will include functional specifications, institutional responsibilities, integration requirements, and comparative assessments of available solutions. (69) Implementation roadmaps will be presented for short-, medium-, and long-term deployment. Cost estimates will be broken down by solution type, deployment phase, and maintenance requirements. The deployment strategy shall explicitly identify the requirements for expanding MRV and digital monitoring systems from pilot SEZs to a standardized national SEZ monitoring platform. The Consulting Firm shall include a capacity development plan identifying priority training needs. (70) The output will be an implementation roadmap with clear milestones, timelines, and institutional responsibilities, enabling stakeholders to monitor progress and address challenges proactively.

What the contract asks for. Subtask 2(d): Investment plan. The consulting firm shall provide an investment plan for selected pathway(s), prioritizing potential investments within the SEZ using a set of agreed criteria, which will include but not be limited to cost-effectiveness, greenhouse gas abatement potential, implementation readiness, replicability across other SEZs, potential for private investment and/or co-financing, and alignment with national and SEZ-specific strategies. (49) The consulting firm shall also propose clear subproject selection criteria. These criteria should enable transparent and objective evaluation of candidate projects for financing and implementation. Furthermore, the consulting firm can identify pilot projects that demonstrate early impact, serve as proof-of-concept for innovative technologies or business models, and provide lessons for scaling up decarbonization efforts across other SEZs in the country. The Consulting Firm shall prepare a preliminary pipeline of priority projects for potential implementation and financing. For each top-ranked investment and pilot project, the consulting firm shall prepare a preliminary business case. This business case will detail the technology description, site-specific scope, estimated capital and operational expenditures, anticipated emissions reductions, implementation timeline, procurement approach (including PPP options), financial feasibility for private investment and potential sources of funding. The Consulting Firm shall also assess potential financing structures for the prioritized investments, including sovereign financing, concessional climate finance, blended finance, carbon finance mechanisms, financial intermediary lending, and private sector participation. The assessment shall identify suitable financing approaches for different categories of investments and outline key institutional, regulatory, and market requirements for implementation. (50) Finally, the consulting firm will develop implementation scenarios for near-term, medium-term, and long-term horizons. For each scenario, the firm will provide indicative sequencing of investments, identify key dependencies and risks, and propose decision gates that are aligned with project readiness and any required policy actions.

What the contract asks for. Subtask 1(c): Policy review. The review will establish the analytical and operational framework for the policy advisory task. A detailed review of existing and planned industrial and energy policies will be conducted, focusing on regulatory frameworks and governance structures at both national and sectoral levels. (23) The review shall place particular emphasis on the legal, institutional, and operational structuring of SEZ, including the allocation of responsibilities for the provision of infrastructure, the criteria and processes used for the designation and selection of SEZs, and the mechanisms through which SEZ development priorities are determined and financed. (24) The analysis shall assess the coherence of these arrangements with national industrial and decarbonization objectives, including alignment with eco-industrial park (EIP) principles and frameworks. The review shall identify gaps or inconsistencies that affect SEZ performance and service delivery, and examine the extent to which current policies enable or constrain resource efficiency, industrial symbiosis, renewable energy deployment, and shared utility solutions within SEZs; and evaluate whether existing regulatory frameworks support the scaling-up of energy-secure, low-carbon industrial operations across the SEZ network, including through PPP and other private-sector-led delivery models. (25) The output of this subtask will be a diagnostic report summarizing findings from the policy review and highlighting priority areas for intervention.

What the contract asks for. Subtask 1(d): Policy Advisory. The Policy Advisory report will deliver comprehensive policy guidance aimed at enabling environment for industrial decarbonization and the transition of Uzbekistan's SEZs toward modern, service-oriented and sustainability-aligned industrial zones, including if needed EIP principles. These recommendations will address regulatory frameworks, incentives, and governance structures necessary to implement decarbonization measures effectively (e.g. PPP) and will develop draft regulations or propose amendments. Where appropriate, the report may include draft regulatory provisions or proposed amendments to existing laws, by-laws, and implementing regulations. (27) The analysis shall examine how existing SEZ policies, incentives, and operational arrangements can be re-oriented to support specific government objectives, including improved environmental and social performance at zone level. (28) The Policy Advisory Report shall present a sequenced and implementable reform roadmap for advancing modern SEZ development. The roadmap shall define clear phases, timelines, institutional responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms across national, sectoral, and zone-level entities, and shall focus on reforms that strengthen service delivery, infrastructure reliability, and long-term SEZ performance. (29) The institutional dimension of the recommendations shall be grounded in observed organizational, staffing, and capacity constraints, drawing on existing diagnostics of SEZ governance structures and human resource capacities. The assessment shall identify institutional, technical, and digital capacity gaps among relevant agencies and SEZ authorities and recommend measures required to support the implementation, operation, and monitoring of proposed reforms and investments. (30) The Consulting Firm shall assess alternative models for the delivery and financing of SEZ infrastructure and services, including PPPs, concession arrangements, utility operators, and privately developed shared infrastructure. The assessment shall identify regulatory, institutional, and commercial barriers to implementation and recommend measures to strengthen private sector participation in the provision of energy, water, wastewater, waste management, and digital services across SEZs. (31) The report shall address the integration of energy, environmental, and industrial policies at the zone level, including mechanisms to promote shared services, demand aggregation, efficient use of utilities, and coordinated planning of industrial activity and infrastructure. The analysis may support a transition from input-based incentives toward performance-oriented SEZ regimes, where outcomes related to efficiency, reliability, environmental performance, and competitiveness are systematically monitored and used to guide prioritisation and reform. (32) The report shall include recommendations for aligning Uzbekistan's industrial and SEZ policies with international standards and best practices. It will outline strategies for leveraging private sector participation and multilateral development bank support to finance and implement programmatic, scalable, and service-oriented SEZ reforms, with the objective of strengthening Uzbekistan's SEZs as modern, resilient, low-carbon, and internationally competitive industrial platforms.

What the contract asks for. Subtask 2(e): Environmental, social, and economic impact assessment. The consulting firm shall conduct for the proposed plan an assessment of environmental, social, and economic impacts of the prioritized investments, consistent with ADB's safeguards requirements, including Environment and Social Framework, national law, and good international industry practice. (52) The assessment shall address air quality, water and waste implications, land use constraints, occupational and community health and safety, and cumulative impacts at SEZ level; and it shall include gender and social inclusion considerations and distributional effects on vulnerable groups. (53) The consulting firm shall identify key risks and propose mitigation and monitoring approaches proportionate to feasibility stage; where pilots are recommended, the consulting firm shall outline any further studies likely required during project preparation.

What the contract asks for. Task 4: Study tour in Spain. The study tour will be organized as a 5 to 7-day program, featuring site visits to flagship Spanish industrial decarbonization projects. (74) The consulting firm shall be responsible for planning and executing the study tour, including, but not limited to, designing the overall program agenda, identifying and liaising with potential participants, relevant companies, institutions, and government offices for site visits and corresponding meetings, preparing all logistical arrangements and coordination for the 5 to 7-day program. The Consulting Firm will NOT be responsible for the identification and arrangements for accommodation and for the purchase of international or domestic travel tickets, accommodation, per diems, or other travel-related expenditures for participants, which shall be handled in accordance with ADB and Government procedures. (75) The tour will be designed to foster technology transfer and create opportunities for collaboration between Uzbek and Spanish stakeholders. It will showcase successful models for scaling green industry and digital infrastructure in industrial clusters. Participants will engage with Spanish policymakers, technology providers, and industry experts to gain practical insights into the deployment of energy management systems, CO2 monitoring, smart optimization tools, and MRV platforms. The itinerary will also include meetings with government agencies responsible for green industrial policy, as well as sessions on financing mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and the integration of digital solutions for cluster-level operations. (76) Task 4 Deliverables: a final report summarizing the outcomes of the study tour to MIIT, MOE and ADB. [Clause 2(x): Study Tour report + Final Report with 500-word knowledge summary, within 38 weeks.]