PRIME MINISTER BECOMES ACQUAINTED WITH WORKS TO RENEW THIRD THERMAL POWER PLANT

On November 12, Prime Minister of Mongolia L.Oyun-Erdene became acquainted with the progress of winter preparation at thermal power plants. At the Third Thermal Power Plant, works are underway to increase the plant’s capacity by 50 MW and renew the plant in phases, introduced Minister of Energy N.Tavinbekh. 

As the thermal power plant currently supplies 32 percent of the capital city’s demand for electricity, it is planned to establish Ulaanbaatar’s Fifth Thermal Power Plant based on the infrastructure of the Third Thermal Power Plant. Minister of Energy N.Tavinbekh said, “Most of the plant’s main infrastructure is becoming outdated. As the Third Thermal Power Plant was put into operation in 1966-1968, it is possible that the plant’s operations could come to a stop at any given moment.

While the turbo generator is intended to run for 220 thousand hours or over the course of 25 years, the plant’s generation has run for 220-240 thousand hours so far. Thus, we are currently faced with a difficult situation where we have to renew the thermal power plant before it becomes impossible to operate.”

As the country’s electricity consumption has gone over the currently available domestic supply, the main solution for resolving the issue would be to create a new source for energy, highlighted the Minister. In the framework of the Government’s action plan, works are being accelerated to tackle the matter. So far, a contractor company has been selected for the construction of Erdeneburen Thermal Power Plant, while a bid for tender has recently been announced for the Tavantolgoi Thermal Power Plant. Assessments are also being conducted for the establishment of a battery storage power station with a capacity of 200 MW for the capital city. 

With three of four major works planned for this year already done, the extension is planned to be completed by December 15. 

During the working visit, Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene called for those in the energy sector to be involved in the third shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. He then said, “Our country is currently leading in the rate of vaccinations for Asia. Thus, it is possible to reopen our economy earlier than other countries and begin to make progress on large-scale projects.”

Source: https://www.montsame.mn/en/read/281102