In 2022, the state of electricity consumption in North Korea reveals a notable reliance on hydropower as the predominant source of low-carbon electricity. Hydropower alone generates over 62%, contributing to more than half of the country's electricity supply and accounting for almost all of its low-carbon energy at 63%. Meanwhile, fossil energy, primarily coal, contributes to the remaining 37% of electricity generation. This demonstrates a significant reliance on fossil fuels, which are closely associated with harmful effects such as climate change and air pollution. Clearly, transitioning towards a cleaner energy mix can substantially benefit North Korea's energy landscape.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in North Korea?
Despite the presence of clean energy through hydropower, the overall trend in electricity consumption in North Korea is on a downward trajectory. The recent figures from 2022 indicate that electricity consumption per person stands at 1008 kWh, a substantial decline from the peak of 1707 kWh per person recorded in 1988. This represents a decrease of 699 kWh per person, hinting at an overall energy system that is not expanding as needed. Furthermore, low-carbon electricity generation, previously recorded at 739 kWh per person in 1990, has also declined to 636 kWh, marking a decrease of 103 kWh. These trends suggest that the country's energy sector may face challenges in meeting growing demands for electricity.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, North Korea can draw lessons from regions around the world that have successfully integrated nuclear and solar power. Countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy contributes around 70% and 66% of the electricity, respectively, exemplify how nuclear power can serve as a robust backbone for a clean energy strategy. Additionally, embracing solar power, as seen in states like Nevada and California with solar power constitutions of 33% and 29% respectively, can provide a sustainable and reliable addition to the energy mix. By focusing on expanding nuclear and solar energy, North Korea can mitigate its dependence on coal, combat air pollution, and accelerate its transition to a clean energy future.
History
The historical trajectory of low-carbon electricity in North Korea, particularly hydropower, reveals both periods of growth and decline. During the early 1980s, there was steady progress with incremental increases in hydroelectricity. However, the 1990s marked the beginning of a challenging period with consistent declines starting in 1992, some as significant as 1.8 TWh in 1997. The early 2000s saw minor improvements, only for the pattern of decline to continue until the mid-2010s, with another noticeable drop of 3 TWh in 2015. Encouragingly, between 2020 and 2021, hydropower saw a resurgence, with a significant increase of 3.3 TWh in the latter year. Despite these fluctuations, this history underscores the need for diversification and expansion of clean energy sources, including nuclear and solar, to ensure a resilient electricity supply system.
