Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Eco Village in Mongolia Replaces Coal with Sunshine for Heat
50% reduction in CO₂ emissions
Inhabitants 1.54 million GDP per capita $5,653 Geographic area 4,704 km²
THE CHALLENGE Residents living in informal settlements rely on coal-based heating facilities, which are one of the main contributors to harmful air pollutants in the city.
A project in the Khoroo 19 subdistrict of Ulaanbaatar aims to deliver affordable and green housing solutions that reduce the reliance on coal for heating. The Tsaiz Eco Village will provide 176 households with solar thermal heating systems and efficient insulation. The aim is to reduce energy demand in the winter and offer a more sustainable alternative to burning coal for warmth, which will also help to improve air quality in the city. The majority of Ulaanbaatar’s population lives in ger districts, which refer to Mongolia’s traditional circular felt housing units, and require heating for 8 months out of the year, with temperatures falling below –30°C. The Tsaiz Eco Village will make use of the abundant sunshine that Mongolia receives year-round to provide decentralized and low-carbon heating solutions for the semi-detached properties in the form of solar thermal panels. Further improvements to waste management will ensure that soil, water and air pollution in the area are reduced, improving livability for residents. The construction of the eco village is expected to be completed in 2021, and if successful, similar technologies may be deployed in other ger districts.
Co-benefits Health As part of a range of initiatives being undertaken to improve air quality in Ulaanbaatar, the project will contribute to decreasing rates of pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses.
Eco village project in Khoroo 19. The initiative will contribute to emission reductions by providing solar heating and adequate building insulation (photo by GIZ Mongolia).
Social Participating households will have access to a reliable energy supply and improved urban services like waste management.
BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY 115
