The capital city of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, is set to tackle its chronic heating issues by constructing nine heat plants across various locations in the city. These plants are part of a broader plan to enhance Ulaanbaatar’s energy infrastructure, including the development of distributed heat sources, thermal power plants, and waste-to-energy facilities. Governor Kh. Nyambaatar presented these initiatives to 450 representatives from China’s energy, infrastructure, and investment sectors, as well as 204 government agencies, emphasizing the city’s push toward sustainable urban development.
Heat Plant Locations and Capacities
The planned heat plants, categorized by fuel type, aim to address Ulaanbaatar’s significant heat shortages and extend centralized heating to ger districts, improving living conditions for many residents. The nine plants include:
Gas-Fueled Thermal Power Plants:
- Zaisan: 28 MW
- Ikh Zasag: 50 MW
- Tsetserlegt Hureelen: 70 MW
- Dunjingarav: 84 MW
Solid-Fuel-Fueled Thermal Power Plants:
- Moringiin Davaa: 21 MW
- Zaluus: 93 MW
- Yarmag: 93 MW
- Denjiin Myanga: 93 MW
- Shar Khad: 121 MW
Major Energy Projects in the Pipeline
In addition to the distributed heat sources, Ulaanbaatar will launch a tender early next year for a 300 MW thermal power plant capable of producing 465 MW of heat. This ambitious project, with an updated feasibility study approved this year, is expected to significantly boost the city’s heating capacity.
Furthermore, a waste-to-energy facility capable of processing 300,000 to 400,000 tons of waste annually will be tendered by December. Located near the centralized landfills of Moringi and Tsagaan Davan, this facility aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve waste management, and combat soil and environmental pollution.
Green Economy and Chinese Collaboration
Chinese investors expressed strong interest in the proposed projects, marking the start of potential partnerships. Ulaanbaatar Mayor N. Nyambaatar highlighted Mongolia’s commitment to a green economy and new energy initiatives, emphasizing China’s leadership in these sectors as an opportunity for collaboration. “Leaving a healthy ecology for future generations is the most important task of our time,” he stated, underscoring the city’s focus on sustainable development.
