Electricity in Mongolia in 2023/2024

As of the period from August 2023 to July 2024, Mongolia's electricity consumption is heavily dominated by fossil fuel sources, with coal accounting for almost 91% of the total electricity generation. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources contribute a modest 9% to the electricity mix, with wind power being the sole representative in this category. This significant reliance on coal poses significant environmental challenges, including high carbon emissions and air pollution, and highlights the critical need for Mongolia to diversify its energy mix towards cleaner and more sustainable sources.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Mongolia should look to countries that have successfully integrated clean energy sources into their electricity grids. For example, Denmark has achieved more than 60% of its electricity from wind power, indicating a significant potential for wind energy in regions with suitable wind resources. Additionally, countries such as France, Slovakia, and Ukraine have substantial portions of their electricity generated from nuclear power, which illustrates the viability and benefits of nuclear energy in reducing carbon emissions. Mongolia can benefit from these examples by investing in both wind and nuclear technologies, leveraging its geographic and economic conditions to develop a robust clean energy infrastructure.

History

Historically, the progression of low-carbon electricity in Mongolia has been gradual, with some notable developments. The earliest recorded data shows that wind power contributed 0 TWh in 2013, but began to show incremental increases starting in 2014, with a slight yet important uptick of 0.1 TWh in both 2014 and 2019. Solar energy made its debut in 2017 with small contributions, growing to 0.1 TWh by 2019 and 2021. Despite these advances, the overall growth in low-carbon electricity has been slow, emphasizing the need for more aggressive policies and investments to achieve significant expansion in the coming years. Such a proactive approach would help Mongolia transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources