The President of Mongolia, Tsakhia Elbegdorj, met with Hans-Josef Fell, Member of the German Bundestag and spokesperson on energy policy for the Green Parliamentary Group of the German Parliament on 3rd May 2011.
Mr Fell explained to the Mongolian leader how Germany had adopted the Law on Renewable Energy in 2000 and is now supplying 17% of the country’s energy through green energy. In Germany, the renewable energy sector has become the second biggest sector after the automotive industry. Mr Fell pointed out that global energy demand can be fully supplied with renewable energy by 2030, according to research from Stanford University.
During the discussion, the President mentioned his government’s plans for windpower projects and a program for reducing air pollution in Ulan Bator through the use of electric heating.
Mr Fell proposed that the Mongolian authorities might generate the required electricity through wind farms rather than the planned fifth coal-fired power plant. The German politician stated that there are no clean coal-fired power plants as it is often suggested, but that they are always emitting carbon dioxide. He also stated that the generation of power by wind farms is now cheaper then by new coal-fired power plants.
Mr Fell also suggested a Gobitec Project (referring to the Desertec Project) to export solar and wind energy to China. For the construction of this technology, rare earths and metals would be needed, of which Mongolia has plenty. Thus, the project could boost the development prospects of Mongolia at the same time as preserving the climate.
President Elbegdorj commented after the meeting:
“Mongolia is paying attention to energy saving, effective usage of energy and supporting renewable energy use. The Mongolian Gobi desert experiences more than 300 sunny days annually and there are ample opportunities to use solar energy in the Gobi.”
Mongolia is also a prime location for the materials needed in the manufacture of green technology. Large deposits of gold and rare earth deposits are found in the country. Green Technology Solutions President and CEO John Shearer commented on the issues on 3rd May 2011 as part of an announcement that his company is in negotiations with Ar Erkhes, LLC to develop mining production of gold as well as rare earths at a mineral-rich property in Mongolia’s Tuv province:
“The price of gold has skyrocketed to new heights in the past year, and one reason is that precious metals such as gold are used in the manufacture of a number of new green-energy technologies. Securing gold mining rights in Mongolia is a tremendous opportunity that we are pursuing with great enthusiasm.”
A Green Group has been established at the Parliament of Mongolia to discuss issues surrounding renewable energy policy.
