Energy / Energy sector development and institutional reform

The proposed TA will assist the NCC in the development of a policy and action plan for, and coordination of investments to, reduce air pollution in Ulaanbaatar. To support the Government's action plan to obtain cleaner air in Ulaanbaatar, ADB proposes to assist the Government in carrying out: (i) policy support; (ii) preparatory work; and (iii) a pilot project to support preparation of a multi-donor investment program: the Ulaanbaatar Clean Air Program.

The TA has three components as follows: (i) HOB replacement; (ii) development of a mechanism to reduce wintertime emissions in ger areas; and (iii) institutional strengthening, monitoring and evaluation mechanism.

NCC capacity strengthened

HOB replacement feasibility study and technical specifications prepared

Awareness campaign developed and launched

Voucher distribution system developed

Laboratory tests and certification system developed by international consultant and implemented by national specialists

Stove research and development training developed and coordinated by international consultant and implemented by national specialists

The consultant's final report summarizing TA achievements was submitted in Aug 2011. The report concludes that highly satisfactory results were achieved under the TA project and valuable experience gained. Two very significant milestones have been achieved: (i) setting up of the testing laboratory and (ii) development of a stove testing protocol. TA project have laid the foundation for a larger scale roll-out. Sustainable operation of the SEET would continue to play the key role in supporting all projects associated with reducing ambient air pollution in Ulaanbaatar. In November 2011 ADB approved the extension of the PATA completion from Nov 2011 to 30 April 2012. This extension will facilitate continued operation of the SEET, support the Government in combating air pollution, and will be in line with the donor coordination efforts.

Implementation of a stove pilot launched in Nov 2010, and has been a very significant achievement. For the first time in Ulaanbaatar such a project has been executed based on a product tested for emission performance in the SEET laboratory.

The TA has been a unique project requiring the Consultant to carry out a number of studies and field activities. Eight subject specific reports have been prepared and submitted in addition to the main reports on progress of the project. It is hoped that some of these reports would have lasting value for the Ulaanbaatar Clean Air Project (UBCAP) being prepared by the World Bank in general and also from technical and academic perspectives.