Mongolia's first wind farm operational in June

Mongolia's first wind farm is expected to start generating electricity later this month, a local official said Tuesday. The wind farm, called Salhitai or a windy place in Mongolian, was located in Central Province, about 70 km from Ulan Bator, its executive manager, Enkhamgalan, said. The facility was built by Mongolian New Communications Group Corporation and General Electric (GE) Company with a joint investment of 100 million U.S.dollars, Enkhamgalan told reporters on site. In recent years, Mongolia's annual electricity consumption has grown by 8-10 percent and is expected to increase further in the next 15 years. Salhitai covers an area of 12,000 hectares and will meet 5 percent of Mongolia's electricity consumption each year, replacing the use of millions of tons of coal and water. Mongolia reportedly plans to establish more wind farms to boost its renewable energy share to 20-25 percent of its total energy supply by 2020. Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj recently said Mongolia had rich wind, solar and other renewable energy resources, which, after vigorous development, not only could meet domestic demand, but be exported to neighboring countries. Editor: Deng Shasha