Mongolia Joins the Global Data Center Boom with Chinggis Khaan Sovereign Wealth Fund
Mongolia is set to join a fast-growing data center market. The country has rich natural resources and a kind climate that suit new digital projects. This step comes from a plan that uses the Chinggis Khaan Sovereign Wealth Fund. The fund uses money from Mongolia’s mineral wealth to boost social well-being, build roads, and work on green energy projects.
A New Era Powered by Data and Renewables
The law started the fund in April 2024. It now holds about $1.4 billion. The fund works to change Mongolia’s economy by investing in the rising need for data centers for cloud computing and AI. Global AI tasks grow, and data centers that use less power are needed.
Temuulen Bayaraa, head of the fund, spoke at the Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore. She said, "We have vast land and a good climate for data centers." The fund plans special economic zones like Hunnu City. Hunnu City will be a smart urban area built for data center work and related tasks.
Aligning Investments with Green Energy Initiatives
The fund also directs money to build large renewable energy grids. This plan helps increase the flow of green energy outside Mongolia. The country lies between Russia and China and builds strong ties with both. These links help in supplying green power to nearby markets.
Mongolia now plans to grow green power in its electricity mix to 30% by 2030. This is a jump from 18.3% in 2023. The fund puts support into wind and solar projects that power data centers and meet world plans for cleaner energy.
Responding to Global Trends and Domestic Needs
This fund follows a seen trend in Asia. Countries like Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia invest more in data centers as AI and cloud projects grow. Goldman Sachs sees that energy use by data centers will go up by 50% by 2027 and possibly by 165% by 2030. Mongolia aims to cut risk from mineral price swings. The country’s minerals are a key funding source. Erdenes Mongol, a state-owned company with stakes in mining, manages the fund to share mining money in a fair way.
Rebuilding Trust and Driving Inclusive Growth
Many Mongolians have felt that mineral wealth was not shared well. In 2025, widespread protests led to the exit of Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai. Bayaraa said the fund must rebuild trust by using mineral money for the people.
She stated, "The fund builds trust by managing and sharing wealth in a separate way." It will pay for schools, health care, housing, and job training. This plan should help grow a strong middle class and support fair progress.
Citizens can watch the fund’s money go through an easy-to-use app. This step helps everyone see where funds go.
Attracting Global Expertise with a Local Impact
The fund also plans to hire Mongolian experts who have worked abroad in banking, investing, and wealth management. These skilled people will help run the country’s funds. Bayaraa noted, "Mongolia has long drawn foreign money into the country. Now, for the first time, we invest to join a global scene."
As Mongolia moves into the data center space backed by green energy and a strong fund, the nation looks to build a diverse, clear, and fair economic future.
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