Russian scientists back Egiin Gol hydropower project in principle, sign protocol

A joint team of Mongolian and Russian scientists studying the Egiin Gol hydropower plant has reached a common conclusion, and scientists from both sides have signed a protocol reflecting the Russian side's support for the project in principle. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Ts. Sandag-Ochir announced this on October 16, according to isee.mn and gogo.mn.

Next steps

The joint research team plans to submit its report to the Russian Academy of Sciences on November 18. The academy will then send the report and its conclusions to the governments of both countries. The minister said this opens the way for the next stage of talks on turning the long-discussed project into reality.

How the study began

Speaking at today's plenary session, Speaker S. Byambatsogt said MP S. Odontuya set up the joint working group of the two countries' academies of sciences while she was Minister of Environment and Climate Change. The group was tasked with studying whether a power plant on the Egiin Gol would harm Lake Baikal. The project on the Egiin Gol, a tributary of the Selenge River, had been stalled for years by Russian concerns about its impact on the Lake Baikal ecosystem.

The scientists' conclusion is not a final decision to build the plant, and the two governments are still to discuss the project.