Over the period from July 2024 to June 2025, Mongolia's electricity consumption relied heavily on fossil fuels, with coal making up a striking 91% of the total. This leaves clean energy sources contributing just around 9%, all of which came from wind energy. The overwhelming dominance of coal indicates a significant dependency on fossil energy for electricity, with clean energy sources playing only a minimal role in the country's energy mix. This lopsided balance highlights an urgent need for diversification towards more sustainable sources of electricity to combat the environmental impacts of reliance on fossil fuels.

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

Is Electricity Growing in Mongolia?

Examining the growth of Mongolia's electricity consumption highlights a concerning trend. In 2025, electricity consumption reached 2581 kWh per person, noticeably lower than the 2024 record of 3036 kWh per person, marking a decline of 456 kWh per person. The generation of low-carbon electricity also experienced a decrease, with 2025 figures standing at 232 kWh per person, compared to the 2021 record of 249 kWh per person, a reduction of 16 kWh per person. This downward trend is worrying, suggesting that Mongolia's journey towards increased electricity consumption, particularly from clean sources, is facing significant challenges. Increased electricity generation, especially from low-carbon sources, is crucial to meet the demands of a growing economy and combat climate change.

Suggestions

To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Mongolia can draw inspiration from successful regions that have substantially incorporated clean energy into their electricity profiles. Denmark and South Dakota have demonstrated impressive reliance on wind power, with wind contributing 49% and 57% of their electricity, respectively. By focusing on expanding its wind energy initiatives, Mongolia could step up its clean electricity generation. Additionally, considering nuclear energy, which is effectively utilized in countries like France, where it generates 69% of electricity, Mongolia could explore opportunities to develop nuclear power. A combined investment in both wind and nuclear energy would position Mongolia as a leader in clean energy and significantly cut reliance on coal.

History

Reflecting on Mongolia's history of low-carbon electricity generation, the late 2010s marked a period of gradual progress. Wind power began emerging in 2013, with small but steady growth until 2017, and a significant uptick in 2025 with an increase of 0.3 TWh. Solar energy, first recorded in 2020, also had a positive impact, albeit modest. However, the absence of significant development in hydroelectric power and the plateauing of wind generation in early 2022 reflect missed opportunities. To fully leverage its wind and solar potential, Mongolia should learn from its own experiences and those of pioneering regions, accelerating investments and policy support to build a robust clean electricity system for future generations.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade