From Shanxi, for cleaner, greener energy

Editor's Note: The 2026 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum was held in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, from Sept 4-5. The event included multiple international conferences, parallel forums and themed activities. Several participants shared their views on China's green energy development. Below are reflections from five of the speakers.

'Green Great Wall' and 'Green Battery' needed

By Dendev Terbishdagva

Mongolia and China are enduring neighbors, connected by mountains and rivers and sharing a border more than 4,700 kilometers long. The two countries are not only closely connected geographically, but also interdependent in areas such as the economy, ecology and energy security.

Today, this relationship is taking on a new dimension: green development and energy transition.

One of Mongolia's greatest opportunities lies in its enormous potential for wind and solar power. The Gobi region is blessed with exceptionally rich wind and solar resources, giving Mongolia the potential to become the "green battery of Asia".

But turning that potential into tangible economic benefits requires more than natural resources. It requires technological support, engineering expertise, industrial capacity, capital investment and advanced energy-storage systems and ultrahigh-voltage transmission networks.

This is where the experience of China's Shanxi province becomes particularly valuable. Long the heartland of China's coal industry, Shanxi is now undergoing a profound transformation. The province is making major efforts to develop renewable energy, new technologies and emerging industries, seeking to shift from a traditional coal-driven economy toward a greener, technology-driven economic structure.

This experience offers important lessons for Mongolia, which is also facing the task of reshaping its energy system and industrial structure.

At the same time, Shanxi can combine its expertise in technology, industry, engineering, investment and financing with Mongolia's enormous wind and solar potential.

It is suggested that a "two-pillar" framework for cooperation — a "Green Great Wall" and a "Green Battery" — be set up between Mongolia and China's Shanxi province.

The "Green Great Wall" would focus on combating desertification, restoring degraded ecosystems, protecting water resources and safeguarding the environment. The "Green Battery" would seek to turn Mongolia's abundant wind and solar resources into clean energy and new economic opportunities. The two are inseparable.

If this vision can become a reality, Mongolia and China can envision a future partnership based on green technologies, energy innovation and environmental protection.

Mongolia can learn from Shanxi's experience in transforming its energy sector, while Shanxi can help unlock Mongolia's wind and solar potential through technology, industry and investment. As long as we turn these visions into concrete projects, we can build a future that delivers tangible benefits and win-win outcomes for both sides.

The author is a former deputy prime minister of Mongolia. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.