Ulaanbaatar, July 18, 2025 /MONTSAME/. Prime Minister of Mongolia Zandanshatar Gombojav reviewed the implementation of his previously issued directives at the state-owned company “Thermal Power Plant No. 3."

Minister of Energy of Mongolia Choijilsuren Battogtokh and Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government Tavinbekh Nansal reported about an accident that occurred on June 2, 2025, at the 50-megawatt high-pressure station, causing a fire in the production building and shutting down the ninth turbogenerator. The officials then presented three courses of action underway to eliminate the ramifications and restore normal operations.

The demolition and reconstruction of the damaged building are planned between July 25 and November 1, 2025. Additionally, the heat production system mode will be adjusted to prevent disruption of heat generation by October 2025. The basic groundwork has been completed, and negotiations are underway for the selection of the contractor.

Furthermore, the seventh and ninth turbogenerators will be fully replaced and commissioned for operation during the 2025–2026 winter. The ninth turbogenerator is the high-voltage power transmission unit located at the site of the accident, while the seventh 25 MW turbogenerator will compensate for the 50 MW lost caused by the accident. The initial funding for the renovation has been included in the state budget amendment, and the remaining funds will be reflected in next year’s budget. Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government Tavinbekh Nansal noted that the ninth turbogenerator is planned to be ordered for manufacture in the People’s Republic of China.

Moreover, a Joint Project with the Russian Federation has been launched to increase the capacity of the 48 MW medium-voltage station by 250 MW, with completion expected in 2028.

Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav reminded the energy sector to work in unity and accelerate reparation and renovation works to prevent heating outages in the winter. The Prime Minister's further directives are as follows: to reduce the oversized structure and unnecessary positions in the sector; cut inefficient expenses; submit proposals by the end of the month; eradicate widely discussed issues such as bid-rigging, supplier pressure, and corruption in procurement processes; apply similar structural and expense-cutting measures to coal mines; prepare proposals for dissolving, merging, or privatizing non-essential units and present them to the Government by August 15, 2025. The Government will conduct a comprehensive inspection of the organization, operations, and finances to resolve the issues.

The 150 MW second block of the Buuruljuut Power Plant is scheduled to be commissioned in December 2025. Additionally, construction of a power plant in Selenge aimag has begun. The Prime Minister assured the country will successfully overcome the upcoming winter with the addition of the Toson Thermal Power Plant in Zavkhan, battery storage systems, and solar power plants.