Mongolian
Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, on April 29, visited the site of the Eg River Hydropower Plant project in Khutag-Undur soum, Bulgan Province, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fast-tracking the long-awaited energy initiative.
Ranked fifth among 14 strategic government projects, the Eg River Hydropower Plant is regarded as a key effort to reduce Mongolia’s reliance on energy imports and to meet the rising electricity demand in the Central Region.
During the site visit, the Prime Minister received a comprehensive briefing from the Ministry of Energy and a joint expert working group comprised of Mongolian and Russian representatives. They discussed the current status of the project, as well as the challenges that lie ahead. The project has encountered significant delays over the years, primarily due to environmental concerns, particularly the potential risks it poses to the biodiversity of Lake Baikal and the preservation of global freshwater reserves.
However, findings by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and other international bodies concluded that the Eg River project is unlikely to have a significant impact on the ecosystems of the Selenge River and Lake Baikal. In response, the Mongolian government has mandated that all development activities adhere to strict environmental and social impact assessment standards based on UNESCO methodologies and global best practices.
A comprehensive study is planned for 2025–2026 to assess potential ecological changes to the Selenge River basin. The Mongolian-Russian Expert Working Group is expected to deliver a final report by mid-2026.
In parallel with the technical and environmental planning, the government has successfully reached a consensus with herder families in the project’s impact zone regarding resettlement and social issues.
Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene also held discussions with local community representatives, where herders living in the project area expressed their full support for the initiative.
