Ulaanbaatar, 24 December 2019

UNDP’s NAMA in the Construction Sector project is jointly implemented with the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development with an objective to facilitate market transformation for energy efficiency in the construction sector through the development and implementation of the Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions in Mongolia. As part of this effort, the NAMA project supported and implemented six energy efficiency demonstration projects and one of them is the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) new office building with solar panel module and other energy saving technologies.

In occasion of the completion of the building, ERC held a soft opening ceremony for UNDP and the NAMA in the Construction Sector project team, proudly presenting the different energy efficient technologies used throughout the building and acknowledging the NAMA project’s contribution in making it possible. Among the various energy efficient technologies, the most notable is the solar panel modules the NAMA project helped install, which will supply 60% of the total electricity needs of the building and has a capacity of 138ton/year emission reduction. Despite its modest contribution to 35% greenhouse gas emission reduction target of the construction sector, it will serve as an example for other buildings that are newly built or undergoing renovation and retrofitting.

During the event, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Nashida Sattar emphasized that the project demonstrates that renewable energy can be efficiently used in the construction sector, enforcing energy efficient standards. She also noted “Mongolia recently updated its ambitions to reduce its GHG emissions and decided to increase its promise from 14% to 22.7% by 2030. As the construction sector accounts for 65% of the country’s total emissions, greening this sector is extremely important in achieving this, especially because of a rapid urbanization, escalating both demand on and consumption of energy. And unless we take preemptive steps the challenges around pollution, and sustainability will be aggravated”.

Ms. Sattar also met with Mr. Tleikhan Almalik, Chairman of the ERC and exchanged information regarding energy efficiency in the construction sector, potential projects to be implemented on clean energy and future collaboration in the energy sector between the ERC and UNDP. During this meeting, Mr. Tleikhan thanked the UNDP’s support and contribution in making the new office building the most energy efficient office in Ulaanbaatar.