ULAANBAATAR: The HUN Party caucus in Parliament heard and discussed a presentation on preparations for the upcoming winter season in the energy sector and the implementation of future energy policies.
Minister of Energy Badrakh Naidalaa said the energy sector is working around the clock to ensure adequate preparations for the winter.
Of the 20 boilers at thermal power plants scheduled for maintenance, nine have been fully repaired, while the remaining 11 are between 35 and 85 per cent complete, he noted. Of the 12 turbogenerators scheduled for maintenance, eight have been fully repaired and the remaining four are 85 per cent complete.
Overall, winter preparations in the energy sector are currently 79 per cent complete on average.
Citizens frequently ask whether electricity restrictions will be imposed this coming winter, he said. Experts project that peak electricity demand will reach 1,956 MW next year.
Installed generation capacity currently stands at 1,836 MW. To meet peak demand, 1,410 MW will be supplied by thermal power plants, 30 MW by wind power, 5 MW by hydropower, and 150 MW by battery energy storage systems. The remaining demand will be covered through electricity imports from southern and northern neighbours.
There will be a shortage of thermal energy this winter, he warned. Thermal power plants are operating under excessive strain and at levels significantly above their current capacity. They are operating under heavy load and struggling to meet heating demand.
Ulaanbaatar is facing a shortage of thermal power capacity. "The situation has reached a point where even the construction of several small buildings is difficult, let alone entire residential districts. Therefore, funding for the construction of Thermal Power Plant No. 5 has been included in next year’s budget,” he said. - Go Go Mongolia/ANN
