Electricity in North Korea in 2022

In 2022, North Korea generated a total of approximately 22 TWh of electricity, with more than half coming from low-carbon sources. Hydropower alone contributed nearly 13 TWh to this total, representing almost all of the country's low-carbon electricity generation. Fossil fuels, primarily coal, supplied almost 9.4 TWh of electricity. This indicates that North Korea still relies heavily on polluting energy sources despite having access to cleaner alternatives. Compared to the global average electricity consumption of 432 watts per person, the low electricity generation in North Korea could have various adverse effects, including restricted industrial growth, limited access to modern amenities, and generally lower standards of living.

Suggestions

To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, North Korea can take a leaf out of the books of countries that have successfully expanded their clean energy portfolios. For instance, China has made significant progress in wind and solar energy, generating 886 TWh and 584 TWh, respectively, from these sources. Similarly, South Korea, a geographically and culturally similar nation, excels in nuclear energy, producing 180 TWh. North Korea could benefit from investing in nuclear power as France and Russia have done, generating 336 TWh and 217 TWh, respectively. Exploring wind and solar options, as India and Japan have effectively done, could also be beneficial, given their relatively high outputs in these sectors.

History

Historically, North Korea's focus has been predominantly on hydropower, with significant fluctuations observed over the decades. In the early 1980s, there were annual increases of around 1 TWh in hydropower generation. However, the early 1990s saw a sharp decline, with noticeable drops in 1992 and 1993. The late 1990s continued this downward trend with substantial reductions. The early 2000s marked a brief resurgence, followed by periods of decline and growth up until the present day. Notable recent increases occurred in 2016, 2020, and 2021, but 2022 saw a steep decline of 3.3 TWh. These fluctuations highlight the need for North Korea to diversify its low-carbon energy sources to ensure a more stable and reliable electricity supply.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources