Australian engineering consultancy Entura has been named the winning supplier for a contract valued at BTN 142,781,613.80 (approximately BTN 142.78 million) in Bhutan, under the Accelerating Transport and Trade Connectivity in Eastern South Asia Phase 2 – Bhutan Project.

The contract is associated with the World Bank-linked project identified by Project ID P181278. According to the supplied contract award information, the contract date is October 4, 2026, and the award notice was published on October 13, 2026.

The procurement record carries the reference DGPC/ACCESS/DPR-CHAMKHARII&IVHPP/2025/03, indicating a connection to the Chamkhar II and IV hydropower projects. However, the exact technical deliverables and relationship between this assignment and the wider transport and trade connectivity program require confirmation from the official procurement documentation.

The award is relevant to engineering consultancy services, infrastructure planning, and development-financed procurement in Bhutan.

Contract Award Overview

The available procurement information provides the following details:

• Project Name: Accelerating Transport and Trade Connectivity in Eastern South Asia Phase 2 – Bhutan Project

• Country: Bhutan

• Winning Company: Entura, Australia

• Purchaser Listed: World Bank, Bhutan

• Contract Value: BTN 142,781,613.80

• Contract Date: October 4, 2026

• Notice Publication Date: October 13, 2026

• Project ID: P181278

• Notice Reference: DGPC/ACCESS/DPR-CHAMKHARII&IVHPP/2025/03

• World Bank Notice Number: OP00474825

• TendersOnTime Reference: 29027447

• Notice Language: English

• Industry: Engineering consultancy and infrastructure-related services, subject to confirmation of the detailed scope

The available summary does not specify the contract duration, implementation milestones, contract signing arrangements, or detailed technical scope.

Entura Secures Consultancy Contract for Chamkharchhu II and IV Hydropower Projects

Further procurement research identifies the specific assignment as the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the Chamkharchhu II and Chamkharchhu IV hydropower projects.

The two proposed hydropower developments are located in Zhemgang and Bumthang Dzongkhags, respectively, in Bhutan.

The award notice identifies Entura as the successful consultant under a Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) procurement method. It also reports a contract duration of 18 months.

A Detailed Project Report is an important technical planning document used to assess whether an infrastructure project can proceed toward financing, approvals, and eventual implementation.

For hydropower developments, DPR preparation may involve engineering design, technical feasibility assessments, financial analysis, environmental considerations, and identification of project risks.

The original consultancy notice explains that the objective is to develop technically sound and financially viable project reports consistent with Bhutan's hydropower development guidelines and relevant international standards.

Scope of Work and Technical Responsibilities

The contract focuses on engineering consultancy and project preparation rather than the construction of hydropower plants.

The assignment covers two separate proposed developments:

Chamkharchhu II Hydropower Project

Located in Zhemgang Dzongkhag, Chamkharchhu II is one of the two projects included in the consultancy assignment.

The DPR is intended to establish a technical and financial basis for assessing the project's development potential.

Relevant areas of engineering analysis may include site investigations, hydrological studies, geological assessments, infrastructure design, cost estimates, and construction planning, subject to the detailed contractual terms.

Chamkharchhu IV Hydropower Project

The second component concerns the proposed Chamkharchhu IV hydropower development in Bumthang Dzongkhag.

Its DPR preparation is expected to support informed decisions on the project's technical feasibility, investment requirements, and possible development arrangements.

The assignment may also require consideration of environmental and social risks, which are particularly important when planning hydropower infrastructure in mountainous regions.

The published summary does not provide a complete list of deliverables or individual deadlines for each hydropower project.

About the World Bank-Financed ACCESS Phase 2 Bhutan Project

The Accelerating Transport and Trade Connectivity in Eastern South Asia Phase 2 – Bhutan Project is a World Bank-supported development initiative intended to improve Bhutan's trade, transport, and digital connectivity.

According to World Bank project documentation, its development objective is to increase the efficiency and resilience of trade, transport, and digital connectivity along selected corridors in Bhutan.

The broader program includes three major components:

• Digital systems for trade

• Green and resilient transport and trade infrastructure

• Institutional and policy strengthening for transport and trade

The World Bank's implementation report also identifies the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport as an important implementing institution.

The hydropower consultancy appears in procurement records associated with this wider program. However, its specific contractual relationship with the transport and trade components should be understood through the published procurement documents rather than assumed from the program title alone.

About the Awarding and Procuring Organizations

The contract award record identifies the World Bank as the purchaser, while related procurement documentation names Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) in connection with the consultancy assignment.

The World Bank provides financing and development support for infrastructure and public-sector initiatives across participating countries.

For the ACCESS Phase 2 Bhutan Project, the financing arrangements involve the International Development Association (IDA), part of the World Bank Group.

The original consultancy notice identifies Bhutan's Department of Surface Transport under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport in the project's financing and implementation arrangements. It also states that DGPC sought an international consulting firm to lead engineering and design activities for the two hydropower developments.

These distinctions are important: the World Bank's financing role should not automatically be interpreted as meaning it directly signed the consultancy contract with Entura.

About Entura: The Winning Australian Engineering Company

Entura is an Australian engineering consultancy specializing in power, water, infrastructure, and technical advisory services.

The company operates in areas including hydropower engineering, dam infrastructure, renewable energy, water resource management, and project development.

Entura's official website identifies hydropower planning, feasibility studies, detailed design, sustainability assessments, and engineering advisory services among its capabilities.

Its experience includes supporting hydropower developments and related infrastructure across Australia and international markets

The Bhutan contract is aligned with these areas of technical expertise. As the selected consultant, Entura will be responsible for the services specified in the final consultancy agreement.

The procurement notice identifies the company's location as Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

Contract Value and Financial Significance

The contract represents a substantial consultancy assignment focused on preparing the technical documentation required for two proposed hydropower developments.

The reported amount relates to engineering consultancy services. It should not be confused with the total investment needed to construct the Chamkharchhu II and IV hydropower plants.

The original procurement notice referred to an estimated assignment value of USD 4 million. This was a procurement-stage estimate, not the final awarded amount. The reported contract award value remains BTN 142.78 million.

The available award information does not establish whether the contract amount includes all applicable taxes, reimbursable expenses, or additional contractual options.

Procurement Process and Contractor Selection

The contract was awarded using the Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method.

QCBS is a consultant selection approach that considers both technical quality and financial proposals, according to the criteria established in the procurement documents.

For specialized engineering consultancy assignments, this method can help procuring organizations evaluate technical competence alongside pricing.

The procurement record provides the following details:

• Selection Method: Quality and Cost-Based Selection

• Winning Consultant: Entura

• Contract Reference: DGPC/ACCESS/DPR-CHAMKHARII&IVHPP/2025/03

• Notice Number: OP00474825

• Reported Contract Duration: 18 months

• Award Notification Date: October 4, 2026

• Publication Date: October 13, 2026

The published record also identifies an IDA financing reference, IDA-E4310.

The information reviewed does not establish the complete bidder ranking or the final negotiated contract terms. Those details should not be inferred solely from Entura's selection.

Project Timeline and Expected Implementation

The award information establishes several important dates and milestones.

Contract Award and Notification

The award notification date is reported as October 4, 2026, followed by public notice publication on October 13, 2026.

Consultancy Duration

The contract notice reports an 18-month duration for the engineering consultancy assignment.

However, the exact commencement date has not been established from the information reviewed. Therefore, a precise completion date cannot yet be confirmed.

DPR Preparation and Project Development

During implementation, the consultancy is expected to focus on preparing the Detailed Project Reports required for evaluating the two hydropower developments.

Completion of the DPRs could support subsequent decisions about technical design, project financing, approvals, and investment planning.

These are potential downstream steps, not confirmed construction commitments or announced construction dates.

Importance of the Contract for Bhutan's Hydropower Sector

Hydropower is an important component of Bhutan's energy infrastructure and economic development strategy.

The Chamkharchhu II and IV consultancy assignment could contribute to future hydropower planning by providing structured technical and financial assessments.

Its potential benefits include:

• Improving the quality of engineering information available to project decision-makers

• Supporting early identification of geological, environmental, and technical risks

• Developing more reliable estimates of potential construction requirements

• Helping assess the financial feasibility of proposed hydropower investments

• Supporting preparation for future financing and regulatory decisions

These benefits depend on the quality of the completed studies and subsequent decisions by the relevant authorities.

Potential Industry Impact and Business Opportunities

The contract highlights demand for specialized engineering consultancy services in Bhutan's infrastructure and energy sectors.

For companies working in hydropower, civil engineering, geological investigations, environmental consultancy, and technical design, such assignments demonstrate the range of professional services required before major infrastructure construction begins.

If the proposed hydropower projects advance beyond the DPR stage, future development phases could involve additional services and supplies. However, no specific follow-on contracts are confirmed by this award.

Businesses interested in Bhutan's procurement market can monitor official procurement publications and platforms such as TendersOnTime for relevant opportunities in engineering, renewable energy, construction, and consulting services.

Key Takeaways

• Winning Company: Entura, an Australian engineering consultancy.

• Contract Value: BTN 142,781,613.80, approximately BTN 142.78 million.

• Project Country: Bhutan.

• Project Locations: Zhemgang and Bumthang Dzongkhags.

• Contract Scope: Preparation of Detailed Project Reports for the Chamkharchhu II and Chamkharchhu IV hydropower projects.

• Contract Duration: 18 months, according to the published procurement record.

• Procurement Method: Quality and Cost-Based Selection.

• Award Notification Date: October 4, 2026.

• Significance: The consultancy could help establish the engineering and financial foundations for future hydropower investment decisions.

Conclusion

The award of a BTN 142.78 million engineering consultancy contract to Entura represents an important project preparation milestone for Bhutan's proposed Chamkharchhu II and IV hydropower developments.

Through the preparation of Detailed Project Reports, the assignment is intended to support technical evaluation, financial feasibility assessments, and informed infrastructure investment decisions.

The contract also illustrates the participation of international engineering consultants in Bhutan's development-financed procurement market.

Businesses seeking similar opportunities can explore TendersOnTime to research government tenders, engineering consultancy opportunities, renewable energy projects, and international contract awards.

#BhutanContractAwards #ChamkharchhuII #ChamkharchhuIV #BhutanHydropower #WorldBankProjects #EnturaAustralia #HydropowerConsultancy #BhutanTenders #EngineeringConsultancy #RenewableEnergyProjects #DetailedProjectReport #GovernmentProcurement #DrukGreenPower #TendersOnTime