Electricity in Mongolia in 2023/2024

Over the past twelve months, from August 2023 to July 2024, Mongolia's electricity consumption has been overwhelmingly dependent on fossil fuels. Specifically, more than 90% of the electricity generated in the country comes from coal, demonstrating a heavy reliance on fossil energy, which is responsible for major issues like climate change and air pollution. In stark contrast, only a small portion, about 9%, of Mongolia's electricity generation comes from low-carbon or clean energy sources, with wind power making up the entirety of this category. The minimal contribution from low-carbon energy sources highlights the country's lag in adopting more sustainable and environmentally friendly electricity generation methods.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Mongolia can look to countries that have successfully integrated such energy into their grids. For instance, Denmark has an impressive 61% of its electricity generated by wind power, showing a strong model for wind energy adoption. Similarly, countries with significant nuclear contributions, such as Slovakia where nuclear power accounts for 60% of electricity, can offer valuable insights into expanding this form of low-carbon energy. Given Mongolia's vast, open landscapes and potential wind resource, it could follow Uruguay's model as well, which generates 36% of its electricity from wind. By studying these successful examples, Mongolia could develop an integrated strategy to diversify its electricity generation mix and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

History

Historically, Mongolia has seen only sporadic growth in low-carbon electricity generation. Wind power made no significant contributions until 2014, when the country added 0.1 TWh, followed by increments of 0.2 TWh each in 2018, 2019, and the most recent twelve months. Solar energy began contributing more recently, with an increment of 0.1 TWh in 2019 and another 0.1 TWh in 2021. Hydropower has remained stagnant, showing no increase in generation capacity over the years. This slow and inconsistent development indicates a need for more robust policies and investments to scale up low-carbon energy production. The sporadic nature of historical additions underscores the urgency for a more systematic and sustained approach to expanding clean energy infrastructure in Mongolia.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources