Where is photovoltaic power available in North Korea?

Based purely on sunlight, the most suitable areas of North Korea are across the mountain ranges that make up most of the interior of the country. Figure 1. Practical photovoltaic power potential across North Korea. Image: Aditi Sharma/38 North Global Solar Atlas 2.0.

Are solar power plants a viable alternative to hydropower in North Korea?

Unlike major hydropower projects in North Korea—some of which have taken upwards of 40 years to complete, solar power plants can be set up relatively quickly to serve both local needs and feed excess energy into the grid.

Does North Korea's power plant transfer its energy to the grid?

While small in size, the power project appears to transfer its energy into North Korea’s electricity grid, according to video of the plant on state television. Figure 12.

Can solar power solve North Korea's energy problems?

Jeong-hyeon, a North Korean escapee, told the Financial Times that many residents in Hamhung, the second-most populous city, “relied on a solar panel, a battery and a power generator to light their houses and power their television”. But solar power is still only a partial solution to the country’s energy woes.

Does North Korea have a thermal power station?

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 The outdated technology makes them inefficient, and thermal capacity has not risen significantly in decades.

Does North Korea have energy security challenges?

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.