Energy in Mongolia
The energy sector of Mongolia is dominated by coal, which is the country's principal source of electricity generation and an important export commodity.[1]
Mongolia's electricity demand increased substantially during the 2020s. In 2024, domestic electricity generation reached 8,754.7 GWh, while total electricity consumption reached 11.6 TWh. Domestic generation supplied 75.3% of consumption and electricity imports supplied 24.7%.[2]
In 2025, electricity consumption increased to approximately 12.6 TWh and the winter peak load reached 1,803.2 MW.[3]
Electricity sector
Mongolia's electricity system consists primarily of coal-fired combined heat and power plants, supplemented by wind, solar, hydropower, battery storage and electricity imports.
In 2024, thermal power plants accounted for 90.6% of domestic electricity generation. Wind and solar power together accounted for 8.3%, hydropower for 0.8%, and diesel generation for approximately 0.001%. Electricity imports amounted to 2,863.4 GWh.[2]
| Year | Electricity consumption | Winter peak load | Domestic supply | Imports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11.6 TWh | 1,655 MW | 75.3% | 24.7% |
| 2025 | 12.6 TWh | 1,803.2 MW | 78.6% | 21.4% |
Coal and thermal power
Coal-fired power stations and combined heat and power plants remain the principal sources of electricity and district heating in Mongolia. Major plants are concentrated in Ulaanbaatar and regional industrial centres.
| Power station | Location | Commissioned | Electrical capacity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal Power Plant No. 2 | Ulaanbaatar | 1961 | 24 MW | Operating |
| Thermal Power Plant No. 3 | Ulaanbaatar | 1968 | 186 MW | Operating |
| Thermal Power Plant No. 4 | Ulaanbaatar | 1983 | 680 MW | Operating |
| Darkhan Thermal Power Plant | Darkhan | 1965 | 48 MW | Operating |
| Erdenet Thermal Power Plant | Erdenet | 1987 | 28.8 MW | Operating |
| Choibalsan Thermal Power Plant | Choibalsan | 1970 | 86 MW | Operating |
| Dalanzadgad Thermal Power Plant | Dalanzadgad | 2000 | — | Operating |
| Buuruljuut Power Plant | Töv Province | 2024–2025 | 300 MW | Operating |
| Toson Thermal Power Plant | Tosontsengel, Zavkhan Province | 2025 | 24 MW | Operating |
The Buuruljuut Power Plant is one of the largest recent additions to Mongolia's generating system. Its first 150 MW unit entered operation on 5 October 2024.[4]
The second 150 MW unit was connected to the Central Energy System on 18 October 2025, bringing the plant's total operating electrical capacity to 300 MW.[5]
The Toson Thermal Power Plant in Tosontsengel, Zavkhan Province, was commissioned in early 2025 and connected to Mongolia's power grid. The combined heat and power facility has a designed capacity of approximately 24 MW.[6]
Thermal Power Plant No. 4 remains one of Mongolia's most important generating facilities. In January 2026 it was operating eight boilers and producing up to approximately 680 MW, supplying a substantial share of Ulaanbaatar's electricity demand.[7]
Power stations under construction and development
| Project | Location | Type | Planned capacity | Status | Target / expected completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal Power Plant No. 5 | Ulaanbaatar | Coal-fired CHP | 300 MW | Under construction | 2028 |
| Tavantolgoi Thermal Power Plant | Ömnögovi Province | Coal-fired | 450 MW | Development | — |
| New Dalanzadgad Thermal Power Plant | Dalanzadgad | Thermal | 50 MW | Planned | 2028 |
| Erdeneburen Hydropower Plant | Khovd Province | Hydroelectric | 90 MW | Under implementation | 2030 |
| Egiin Gol Hydropower Plant | Bulgan Province | Hydroelectric | 315 MW | Development | — |
| Myangad Solar Power Plant | Myangad, Khovd Province | Solar + battery | 19.8 MW solar + 8 MWh BESS | Contracted / development | — |
| Central-region solar and battery programme | Five sites | Solar + battery | 220 MW solar + 135 MW / 440 MWh BESS | Competitive procurement | 2026 onwards |
| Western and eastern-region solar and battery programme | Five sites | Solar + battery | 110 MW solar + 52 MW / 188 MWh BESS | Competitive procurement | — |
| Dundgovi Wind Power Project | Dundgovi Province | Wind | Up to 2,400 MW | MoU / development | — |
Thermal Power Plant No. 5
Construction of Thermal Power Plant No. 5 began in 2026 on the former ash-storage area of Thermal Power Plant No. 2 in Bayangol District, Ulaanbaatar.[8]
The plant is designed to generate 300 MW of electricity and supply approximately 340 Gcal/h of heat. It is being implemented as a public-private partnership and is intended to strengthen electricity and district-heating supply in Ulaanbaatar.[8]
Tavantolgoi Thermal Power Plant
The government has continued development of the proposed 450 MW Tavantolgoi Thermal Power Plant. The project is intended to provide domestic electricity for the Oyu Tolgoi and Tavan Tolgoi mining areas and other large industrial consumers in southern Mongolia.[9]
The project is designed for a total capacity of 450 MW, potentially developed in a 300 MW first phase followed by an additional 150 MW.[10]
Dalanzadgad power plant
A new 50 MW thermal power plant is planned for Dalanzadgad in Ömnögovi Province as part of Mongolia's 2026–2030 development programme.
The project is scheduled for commissioning in 2028 and is expected to generate approximately 367.1 million kWh of electricity annually, in addition to thermal energy.[11]
Renewable energy
Mongolia has substantial wind, solar and hydropower resources. Although thermal power remains dominant, renewable generation has expanded considerably since the 2010s. In 2024, wind and solar together accounted for 8.3% of Mongolia's domestic electricity generation, while hydropower accounted for 0.8%.[2]
Wind power
Mongolia has three major utility-scale wind farms connected to the power system. The first, Salkhit Wind Farm, entered service in 2013. It was followed by the Tsetsii Wind Farm in 2017 and the Sainshand Wind Farm.[12]
| Power station | Location | Capacity | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salkhit Wind Farm | Töv Province | 50 MW | 2013 | Operating |
| Tsetsii Wind Farm | Tsogttsetsii, Ömnögovi Province | 50 MW | 2017 | Operating |
| Sainshand Wind Farm | Dornogovi Province | 55 MW | 2019 | Operating |
The 55 MW Sainshand Wind Farm began supplying electricity to the Central Regional Integrated Power Grid after receiving its generation licence in January 2019.[13]
Together, the three major wind farms have an installed generating capacity of approximately 155 MW.[14]
Solar power
Utility-scale solar power development in Mongolia began to accelerate in the late 2010s. The 10 MW Darkhan Solar Power Plant, commissioned in 2017, was the country's first large grid-connected photovoltaic power station.[15]
| Power station | Location | Capacity | Commissioned / expanded | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darkhan Solar Power Plant | Darkhan-Uul Province | 10 MW | 2017 | Operating |
| Monnaran Solar Power Plant | Songino Khairkhan, Ulaanbaatar | 10 MW | 2017 | Operating |
| Gegeen Solar Power Plant | Zamyn-Üüd, Dornogovi Province | 15 MW | 2018 | Operating |
| Bukhug Solar Power Plant | Central Mongolia | 15 MW | 2019 | Operating |
| Sumber Solar Power Plant | Govisümber Province | 10 MW | 2019 | Operating |
| Desert Solar Power Plant | Dornogovi Province | 30 MW | 2020 | Operating |
| Uliastai Solar Power Plant | Zavkhan Province | 5 MW | 2022 | Operating |
| Serven Solar Power Plant | Yesönbulag, Govi-Altai Province | 10 MW | 2023 | Operating |
| Murun Solar Power Plant | Mörön, Khövsgöl Province | 10 MW | 2025 | Operating |
| Erdenenar Solar Power Plant | Erdene, Dornogovi Province | 30 MW | 2023–2025 | Operating |
The 10 MW Monnaran Solar Power Plant began operation in November 2017 in Songino Khairkhan District of Ulaanbaatar.[16]
The 15 MW Gegeen Solar Power Plant in Zamyn-Üüd began supplying electricity to the central grid in 2018.[17]
The Uliastai Solar Power Plant has a capacity of 5 MW and began supplying the local grid in November 2022.[18]
In September 2023, a 10 MW solar photovoltaic station known as the Serven Solar Power Plant was inaugurated in Yesönbulag soum of Govi-Altai Province. The plant is expected to generate approximately 20 million kWh annually.[19]
The 10 MW Murun Solar Power Plant in Khövsgöl Province began supplying electricity to the grid in November 2025.[20]
The Erdenenar Solar Power Plant in Dornogovi Province was developed in two phases. Its first 15 MW phase entered service in 2023 and its second 15 MW phase was completed in 2025, bringing total capacity to 30 MW. The facility also incorporates battery energy storage.[21]
Hydroelectric power
Hydropower contributes a comparatively small share of Mongolia's total electricity generation but is particularly important in the western electricity system. Mongolia's two principal year-round hydroelectric stations are the Durgun and Taishir plants. Several smaller hydropower stations also operate, particularly during warmer months.[22]
| Power station | Location | Capacity | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durgun Hydro Power Station | Khovd Province | 12 MW | 2008 | Operating |
| Taishir Hydro Power Station | Taishir, Govi-Altai Province | 11 MW | 2008 | Operating |
| Bogdyn Gol Hydropower Plant | Western Mongolia | 2 MW | — | Operating |
| Guulin Hydropower Plant | Govi-Altai Province | 0.4 MW | — | Operating |
| Tosontsengel Hydropower Plant | Zavkhan Province | 0.375 MW | — | Operating |
The Durgun Hydropower Plant has an installed capacity of 12 MW and generates approximately 40.1 million kWh of electricity in an average year.[23]
The Taishir Hydropower Plant has three generating units with a combined installed capacity of 11 MW.[24]
Battery storage
The Baganuur Battery Storage Power Station in Baganuur has a rated output of 50 MW and storage capacity of approximately 200 MWh. It entered the Central Energy System in late 2024.
Battery storage is increasingly being included in Mongolia's new renewable-energy projects to improve grid stability and shift electricity from periods of low demand to periods of high demand.
In 2026, the Ministry of Energy launched a procurement process for approximately 220 MW of solar photovoltaic generation and 135 MW / 440 MWh of battery storage across five locations:
- Bulgan Province — 50 MW solar with 30 MW / 100 MWh storage;
- Khentii Province — 20 MW solar with 15 MW / 40 MWh storage;
- Övörkhangai Province — 50 MW solar with 30 MW / 100 MWh storage;
- Govisümber Province — 50 MW solar with 30 MW / 100 MWh storage;
- Dundgovi Province — 50 MW solar with 30 MW / 100 MWh storage.
A separate 2026 procurement programme covers approximately 110 MW of solar capacity and 52 MW / 188 MWh of battery storage at five sites in Mongolia's western and eastern regions.[26]
A 19.8 MW solar photovoltaic plant with an 8 MWh battery storage system is also being implemented at Myangad in Khovd Province.[27]
Electricity consumption and imports
Mongolia has historically relied on electricity imports to supplement domestic production during periods of high demand.
In 2024, electricity consumption reached 11.6 TWh, representing growth of 5.9% compared with the previous year. Domestic generation supplied approximately 75.3% of consumption, while imports supplied 24.7%.[2]
In 2025, electricity consumption increased to approximately 12.6 TWh and the winter peak load reached 1,803.2 MW.[3]
The commissioning of new generating capacity, particularly the second 150 MW unit of the Buuruljuut Power Plant, increased the amount of electricity available from domestic sources.[5]
Future development
Mongolia's current energy-development programme combines expansion of thermal generation with renewable-energy and energy-storage projects.
Large thermal projects include Thermal Power Plant No. 5 in Ulaanbaatar, the proposed 450 MW Tavantolgoi Thermal Power Plant and the planned 50 MW Dalanzadgad plant.[8][9]
At the same time, the Ministry of Energy has initiated competitive procurement of several hundred megawatts of solar generation combined with grid-scale battery storage. These projects are intended to increase domestic generation and improve the flexibility and reliability of Mongolia's electricity system.
See also
References
- ↑ "Mongolia". International Energy Agency. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Message of the Chairman". Energy Regulatory Commission of Mongolia. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Energy statistics 2025". Energy Regulatory Commission of Mongolia. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "The First Block of Buuruljuut Power Plant Now Operational". MONTSAME. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- 1 2 "150 MW Second Unit of Buuruljuut Power Plant Begins Supplying Energy". MONTSAME. 20 October 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Quarterly Report" (PDF). 31 January 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Fourth Thermal Power Plant Supplies 58 percent of Ulaanbaatar's Total Electricity". MONTSAME. 25 January 2026. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Construction Begins on Fifth Thermal Power Plant". MONTSAME. 4 May 2026. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Details on Tavantolgoi Thermal Power Plant Project Presented to the Cabinet". MONTSAME. 9 April 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Bid for Selection of Contractors and Funding for First Phase of Tavantolgoi TPP Announced". MONTSAME. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "A New 50 MW Thermal Power Plant to Be Constructed in Dalanzadgad". Ministry of Energy of Mongolia. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "History of Energy in Mongolia". Ministry of Energy of Mongolia. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Major Achievements in Renewable Energy Field In 2018". Energy Regulatory Commission of Mongolia. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Mongolia power-sector assessment" (PDF). World Bank. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Mongolia: Choir-Sainshand" (PDF). Ministry of Energy of Mongolia. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "New 10 MW solar power plant commissions". MONTSAME. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Major Achievements in Renewable Energy Field In 2018". Energy Regulatory Commission of Mongolia. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Upscaling Renewable Energy Sector Project". Asian Development Bank. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "ADB Launches Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant in Altai City, Mongolia". Asian Development Bank. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Хөвсгөл аймгийн Мөрөн суманд 10МВт-ын суурилагдсан хүчин чадалтай нарны цахилгаан станцыг системд залгаж эрчим хүчийг нийлүүлж эхлээд байна". Ministry of Energy of Mongolia (in Mongolian). 25 November 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Speaker of Parliament Visits 'Erdenenar' Solar Power Plant". MONTSAME. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "A step towards energy independence: Chargait Hydropower Plant". MONTSAME. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Ховд аймгийн усан цахилгаан станцуудад ажиллалаа". Ministry of Energy of Mongolia (in Mongolian). Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Taishir Hydropower". Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Solar Power Plant + Battery Energy Storage System Project". Ministry of Energy of Mongolia. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Western and Eastern Region Solar and BESS IPP Project Request for Expressions of Interest". Ministry of Energy of Mongolia. 17 June 2026. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Upscaling Renewable Energy Sector Project". Ministry of Energy of Mongolia. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
