Mongolia's electricity consumption in 2025 is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, with more than 90% of its electricity being generated from coal. This heavy dependence on fossil energy sources is a major concern due to the associated environmental consequences including significant carbon emissions and air pollution. On the positive side, Mongolia has taken steps towards a cleaner energy future, with low-carbon sources like wind power contributing to more than 8% of the country's total electricity generation. However, there is significant potential for further growth in clean energy to transition away from fossil fuels and mitigate their harmful effects.

Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →

Is Electricity Growing in Mongolia?

The trend in Mongolia's electricity consumption is currently showing a decline. With the latest per-capita electricity consumption standing at around 2714 kWh, there has been a noticeable drop from the previous year's record consumption of 3036 kWh. Furthermore, the growth of low-carbon electricity generation is also experiencing a downturn, with the latest figures at about 232 kWh per person, representing a decline from the 2021 record of 249 kWh per person. This decline in overall and clean electricity generation is concerning, as it indicates a potential shortfall in meeting future energy demands, especially as global electrification efforts and technological advancements, such as AI, require more electricity.

Suggestions

To enhance low-carbon electricity generation in Mongolia, the country can draw inspiration from successful regions across the world. Denmark, for example, achieves more than half of its electricity generation from wind power, whilst states like Iowa and South Dakota also excel in harnessing wind energy. Mongolia, with its excellent wind resources, stands to benefit greatly from similar efforts. Additionally, solar energy offers a promising avenue for Mongolia, akin to states like Nevada and regions like Lebanon, where solar makes up a substantial portion of electricity production. Expanding nuclear power could also be transformative, as countries such as France and Slovakia have demonstrated by producing more than half of their electricity from nuclear energy. Embracing these diverse low-carbon energy solutions could enable Mongolia to significantly reduce its reliance on coal and promote a more sustainable energy future.

History

Looking back at Mongolia's history of low-carbon electricity, progress has been slow but shows some promising developments. From the late 2000s to the early 2020s, wind power gradually emerged as a contributing source, with modest growth in generation in years like 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2021. Solar energy also began to make a small impact starting in 2017. However, the country's hydroelectric potential has not seen any change since records began in 2009. More recently, 2025 saw a notable increase in wind power generation, marking a positive step forward. Despite these strides, the historical fluctuations and periods of stagnation highlight the urgent need for a more robust expansion of low-carbon electricity sources like solar and nuclear to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable electricity future for Mongolia.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade