Umair Gaines
North Korea's energy sector has been facing challenges for decades, with the majority of its citizens lacking consistent access to electricity. The country's power generation capacity is not publicly disclosed, but it is known for its reliance on hydropower, which leads to shortages in winter when rivers freeze. North Korea has been attempting to address its electricity issues with various projects, and while there have been improvements, the distribution of power remains uneven, impacting economic development and living standards. The country also imports oil and other fuels from China and Russia, but the end of Cold War-era deals has led to rising prices and reduced imports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electricity in North Korea | North Korea has a shortage of electricity and an inconsistent supply |
| Electricity Sources | Hydropower, coal, solar panels, crude oil, diesel fuel, gasoline |
| Electricity Exports | North Korea exports electricity to China |
| Power Plants | Huichon Power Stations No. 1 and 2, Nyongwon, Paektusan Hero Youth Power Station, Orangchon |
| Energy Deprivation | The vast majority of North Koreans are severely energy deprived, with some in remote areas only getting power one day a year |
| Power Generation Capacity | North Korea's power generation capacity is estimated at 23.9 TWh by Statistics Korea and 14 TWh by the Nautilus Institute |
| Renewable Energy | An official claimed 70% of the country's energy came from renewables in 2021 |
| Nuclear Power | North Korea has a nuclear power plant with 4 reactors, but only 2 are active |
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What You'll Learn
- North Korea's energy sector is characterised by a dependence on hydropower and coal
- The country has a significant number of solar panels, with an estimated 55% of households using them in 2019
- North Korea rarely acknowledges its power problems, with state TV showing lit-up monuments and skyscrapers
- The country has a history of low-carbon electricity generation, with hydropower as the dominant form
- North Korea could benefit from exploring nuclear and wind energy technologies to improve energy security and reduce environmental impact
North Korea's energy sector is characterised by a dependence on hydropower and coal
North Korea's energy sector is characterised by a heavy dependence on hydropower and coal. The country's primary sources of power are hydro and coal, with the former supplying the largest portion of electricity to the country. This reliance on hydropower leads to shortages in winter when there is little rainfall and ice blocks the flow of rivers.
North Korea has constructed large hydroelectric power stations across the country, and several new hydropower stations have come online in recent years, slowly increasing the amount of energy from hydro generation. The construction of smaller-scale hydropower stations is now the main focus of North Korea's electric generation sector, with numerous projects taking place across the country. These smaller stations have the advantage of minimising electricity loss through the country's aging power transmission network and making better use of smaller rivers. An example of this is the Kumyagang Power Station No. 2, a local hydropower project in South Hamgyong Province, which uses water from a dammed lake and mountain streams to generate electricity for the surrounding region.
While North Korea is a net energy exporter, the state has long struggled to provide adequate and consistent electricity to its citizens, with the vast majority remaining severely energy deprived. Those in the capital city of Pyongyang may get power every day, although with rolling blackouts, while those in more remote areas may only have access to power one day a year. This uneven distribution of electricity has hampered the country's economic development and kept living standards low.
In addition to hydropower, North Korea relies on coal-fired power plants for electricity generation. However, the country has faced challenges due to disruptions in coal supplies, impacting the operations of its thermal power stations. North Korea also imports crude oil from China, which is refined at the Ponghwa Chemical Factory in Sinuiju and the smaller Sŭngri Refinery on its Russian border.
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The country has a significant number of solar panels, with an estimated 55% of households using them in 2019
North Korea has been struggling with a lack of consistent electricity for years. The state does not release data about its power generation capacity, but foreign estimates suggest that the country's energy supply is insufficient to meet demand. North Korea relies heavily on hydropower, which leads to shortages in winter when there is little rainfall and ice blocks the flow of rivers.
In recent years, solar panels have become an increasingly common sight on rooftops and balconies across North Korea. While the emergence of household solar panels in other parts of the world has been driven by a push for green energy solutions, in North Korea, it is a response to the state's inability to provide adequate and consistent electricity.
By 2019, an estimated 55% of North Korean households used solar panels. The adoption of solar panels in North Korea can be attributed to their increasing availability and affordability. Domestic panels have entered the market in recent years, and a small solar panel can be purchased for around $15-$50, making it a cost-effective alternative to generators and batteries.
The typical installation of solar panels in North Korea involves connecting a solar panel on a roof or balcony to a large battery via a regulator. During the day, the battery is charged by the solar panel, and at night, the stored power can be used to run low-voltage devices or fed through an inverter to power household appliances. However, the amount of power generated is limited by the capacity of the battery, the charging capacity of the solar panel, and the amount of sunlight available. As a result, shorter and darker winter days provide less power than longer and brighter summer days.
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North Korea rarely acknowledges its power problems, with state TV showing lit-up monuments and skyscrapers
North Korea rarely acknowledges its power problems. State TV often shows lit-up monuments and skyscrapers with lights on in apartments, presenting a very different picture of the country to the world. However, the reality is that the state has a chronic inability to provide adequate and consistent electricity to its citizens. This is despite numerous power production projects attempted over the years.
The North Korean government does not release detailed data about its power generation capacity, but an official from the Ministry of Electric Power Industry stated in 2021 that 70% of the country's energy came from renewables. This figure aligns more with estimates from the Nautilus Institute, which put the country's total electricity supply in 2020 at 14 terawatt-hours (TWh). In contrast, Statistics Korea estimated a higher total supply of 23.9 TWh for the same year. Both organizations agree that hydropower is the largest source of electricity in North Korea, with Nautilus estimating 10.7 TWh of hydro-electricity generation in 2020, while Statistics Korea put this figure at 12.8 TWh.
Hydropower is the dominant form of electricity generation in North Korea due to the country's mountainous terrain and river systems. However, this reliance on hydropower leads to shortages in winter when rivers freeze, reducing the flow of water to power plants. In recent years, North Korea has also faced challenges in maintaining and operating its large dams, which has likely contributed to its power issues.
While the regime regularly promises to solve the electricity problem, the majority of North Koreans remain severely energy-deprived. Those in the capital city of Pyongyang may receive power daily, although with rolling blackouts. In contrast, those in remote areas may only have access to electricity for one day a year. This uneven distribution of power has hindered the country's economic development and kept living standards low.
To address its power issues, North Korea could benefit from diversifying its energy sources. There has been a notable increase in the use of solar panels by North Korean households in recent years, with an estimated 55% of households using them in 2019. Additionally, exploring nuclear and wind energy technologies could improve the country's energy security and reduce the environmental impact of its current fossil fuel reliance.
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The country has a history of low-carbon electricity generation, with hydropower as the dominant form
North Korea has a long history of low-carbon electricity generation, with hydropower being the dominant form. The country's energy sector is challenging to understand due to a lack of transparency and inconsistent data. However, it is clear that North Korea has struggled to meet its energy demands, hindering its economic development and keeping living standards low.
The country's electricity generation is heavily reliant on hydropower, which has been a focus of their energy strategy for decades. Hydropower takes advantage of North Korea's mountainous terrain and river systems. In 2021, an official from the Ministry of Electric Power Industry stated that 70% of the country's energy came from renewable sources, which aligns with estimates from the Nautilus Institute. While the exact percentage of renewable energy in North Korea's mix is uncertain, it is clear that hydropower plays a significant role.
The country has invested in both large and small hydropower projects, including the Orangchon Power Station, a network of five stations in North Hamgyong Province completed in 2022. These hydropower plants serve local areas, avoiding the issues caused by the ageing power transmission network. However, hydropower has a significant weakness: the cold winters reduce water flow in rivers, leading to electricity shortages during the season when power is most needed.
North Korea has also explored other low-carbon sources of electricity generation. In recent years, solar panels have become more common, with an estimated 55% of households using them in 2019. These small standalone photovoltaic systems have helped improve electricity access for North Koreans, reducing the duration of supply blackouts. However, the state's inability to provide consistent electricity remains an issue, with some remote areas only receiving power one day a year.
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North Korea could benefit from exploring nuclear and wind energy technologies to improve energy security and reduce environmental impact
North Korea has long faced challenges in meeting its energy demands, with the majority of its citizens suffering from severe energy deprivation. The country's energy sector is heavily reliant on hydropower, which leads to shortages in winter when there is reduced rainfall and ice blocks the flow of rivers. While the North Korean government does not release detailed data, an official from the Ministry of Electric Power Industry stated in 2021 that 70% of the country's energy came from renewables. This assertion is supported by estimates from the Nautilus Institute, which suggest that North Korea's electricity supply in 2020 was around 14 terawatt-hours (TWh), with hydro supplying 10.7 TWh and wind power capacity estimated at 1.6 megawatts.
To improve energy security and reduce environmental impact, North Korea could benefit from exploring alternative energy sources such as nuclear and wind energy technologies. While the country has been suspected of maintaining a clandestine nuclear weapons development program since the early 1980s, it has also shown a commitment to peaceful power generation. In 1994, North Korea pledged to freeze its plutonium programs and dismantle its nuclear weapons programs in exchange for normalization of diplomatic relations and assistance in developing alternative energy supplies. However, by 2002, the United States believed that North Korea was pursuing uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing technologies in defiance of the agreement. Despite this setback, nuclear energy could still be a viable option for North Korea if the country is willing to engage in diplomatic negotiations and commit to international treaties.
In addition to nuclear energy, North Korea has the potential to harness wind power to meet its energy needs. The Global Wind Atlas assesses North Korea's mean wind power density to be 681 W/m2, which is higher than South Korea's 552 W/m2. This indicates that North Korea has a significant advantage in wind energy potential compared to its southern neighbor. While there are small wind installations scattered throughout the country, a concerted effort to further develop wind power as a renewable energy source has not been observed. Manufacturing and installation challenges, particularly in transporting large wind turbine components to mountainous or hilly areas, may be a barrier to the development of wind energy infrastructure.
By investing in nuclear and wind energy technologies, North Korea could reduce its reliance on hydropower, improving energy security and reducing the environmental impact of its energy sector. Additionally, the development of these alternative energy sources could help to alleviate the country's widespread electricity challenges and promote the integration of cleaner and more sustainable energy resources. However, it is important to note that North Korea has faced challenges in developing its energy sector due to a lack of detailed data and the chronic inability of the state to provide adequate and consistent electricity to its citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
North Korea does have electricity, but the state has a chronic inability to provide adequate and consistent electricity to its citizens.
North Korea relies heavily on hydropower, which causes shortages in winter when there is little rainfall and ice blocks the flow of rivers. Fossil fuels, especially coal, are also used to generate electricity. In recent years, North Korea has seen an increase in the use of solar panels.
The state does not release data about its power generation capacity, but foreign estimates suggest that North Korea struggles to meet energy demands. This has hindered the country's economic development and kept living standards low.
North Korea has invested in grand power projects, such as the Huichon Power Stations, which were a key project for Kim Jong Il. In 2012, North Korea disclosed plans to build 10 new hydroelectric power stations.
