North Korea Outdoor Power Supply

Access to solar panels has created capacity where the state falls short, but the overall energy security challenges facing the nation are daunting. This report, “North Korea's Energy Sector,” is a compilation of articles published on 38 North in 2023 that surveyed North Korea's energy production facilities and infrastructure.

While North Korea's thermal power stations continue to play an important role in the state's energy mix, the stations were built decades ago in collaboration with engineers from the former Soviet Union and China. The outdated technology makes them inefficient, and thermal capacity has not risen significantly in decades.

For 2020, Statistics Korea estimates North Korea's total electricity supply at 23.9 terawatt hours (TWh), while Nautilus estimates only 14 TWh. Both agree that hydro supplies the largest portion of electricity to the country and are in broad agreement on the amount.

Despite its domestic electricity shortage, North Korea is a net exporter of electricity to China. Electricity so far has not been sanctioned under United Nations Security Council Resolutions, and as such, has become a more important source of revenue generation for Pyongyang since foreign trade has declined over the last decade.

North Korea suffers from chronic energy shortages. Rolling blackouts are common, even in the nation's capital, while some of the poorest citizens receive state-provided electricity only once a year.

In contrast, hydropower takes advantage of North Korea's numerous mountains and rivers but also has a major weakness. The frigid temperatures every winter freeze rivers or reduce water flow, decreasing electricity production when the country needs it the most. Regardless, North Korea continues to invest in hydro projects, both large and small.