BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 20. The Aga Khan Foundation in Tajikistan has announced a tender for the supply and installation of solar panels for 30-ton cold storage facilities in several villages of Penjikent city as part of a European Union-funded rural development project.
The tender is being conducted within the framework of the project "Integrated Natural Resource Management for Equal and Sustainable Development in the Zeravshan Valley (INVEST)," which is part of the Rural Development Programme funded by the European Union.
The project envisages the installation of solar panels for cold storage facilities in the villages of Suchina Dasht, Suchina Mushkhona, Chorbog, Kabudsang and Khamirteppa in Penjikent city, as well as in Neknoti Nav and Navruzteppa villages. Interested eligible companies are invited to submit sealed bids for the construction works. Tender documentation can be obtained by contacting the Aga Khan Foundation via email at [email protected].
"Companies will be selected based on an evaluation and awarding of points in accordance with the criteria set forth in the "Bidding Document," the main ones being: availability of the necessary equipment/machinery, engineering and technical personnel, work experience, sound and accurate estimates, deadlines for completion of the work, the best payment terms, absence of debt, the company's financial position, etc.," the announcement at the official tender portal of Tajikistan says.
The deadline for submission of tender applications is 5:00 p.m. on September 2, 2026. Commercial proposals and required documents must be submitted in sealed envelopes to the Aga Khan Foundation offices in Ayni district or Dushanbe. Tender proposals will be opened at 11:00 a.m. on September 2, 2026, with participants also given the opportunity to attend the process online. The Aga Khan Foundation also noted that applications from companies founded and/or managed by women entrepreneurs are encouraged.
Trend’s analysis shows that the project highlights the growing role of renewable energy solutions in strengthening rural infrastructure in Tajikistan, where agricultural development increasingly depends on reliable energy access and modern storage facilities. Solar-powered cold storage can help producers reduce post-harvest losses, preserve product quality and improve access to markets by extending the period for selling agricultural goods.
Penjikent and the wider Zeravshan Valley are among Tajikistan’s important agricultural areas, with fruit and vegetable production forming a significant part of rural economic activity. By combining renewable energy generation with cold-chain infrastructure, the initiative supports a transition from traditional agricultural production toward more efficient and value-added supply chains.
The approach also reflects a broader regional trend in Central Asia, where development institutions are increasingly focusing on infrastructure projects that deliver direct benefits for local communities. The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) previously told Trend that large infrastructure investments are being structured not only around macroeconomic impact, but also around measurable improvements in energy access, resilience and livelihoods at the local level.
According to the Bank, the water-food-energy nexus has become a central element of regional development strategies, as Central Asian countries face rising demand for electricity, pressure on water resources and the need to improve agricultural productivity. EDB noted that total electricity demand in the region could increase by 40% by 2030, while up to 70% of power grids and thermal power facilities require modernization, making decentralized and renewable energy solutions increasingly relevant.
In this context, solar-powered agricultural infrastructure represents a practical application of the broader energy transition agenda. Unlike large-scale generation projects, distributed renewable systems can directly support rural businesses and communities by providing electricity for specific economic activities, including food storage and processing.
The Aga Khan Foundation and EU-supported initiative also fits into wider efforts to strengthen climate resilience in Tajikistan’s rural regions. By improving storage capacity and reducing dependence on conventional energy sources, such projects can contribute to food security, support small producers and create additional opportunities for local entrepreneurship.
