In 2022, North Korea's electricity consumption showed a heavy reliance on low-carbon energy sources, which comprised over 60% of the country's electricity generation. Hydropower was the foremost contributor to this category, accounting for around 63% of the electricity mix, signaling a dominance of water-based energy. Conversely, fossil fuels contributed close to 37% of electricity, with coal being the primary source within this category, accounting for approximately 35%. Despite this significant contribution of low-carbon sources, the dependency on coal indicates an environmental challenge due to the associated carbon emissions and air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in North Korea?
Unfortunately, when examining the trajectory of electricity consumption in North Korea, there has been a notable decline since the late 1980s. As of 2022, the total electricity consumption per person was about 1008 kWh, which marks a decrease of nearly 700 kWh from the peak in 1988. Similarly, low-carbon electricity saw a reduction in generation, recording 636 kWh per person, down by over 100 kWh from the early 1990s. This decline in both overall and low-carbon electricity per capita is concerning, as it suggests a stagnation in both energy availability and sustainable energy development in North Korea, which could hinder economic growth and the country's ability to reduce its carbon footprint.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, North Korea could explore the potential of integrating nuclear and solar technologies, drawing lessons from certain successful regions. Countries like France and Slovakia have successfully harnessed nuclear energy to cover more than two-thirds of their electricity needs, while states like Iowa and Denmark have led the way in wind electricity, contributing about 60%. Meanwhile, solar energy plays a significant role in places like Nevada and California, where it makes up around 30% of the electricity mix. By emulating these models, North Korea can significantly enhance its clean energy capacity, tapping into the reliability of nuclear energy and the growing efficiency and affordability of solar technologies.
History
Historically, North Korea's low-carbon electricity capacity experienced growth in the early 1980s, primarily through hydropower, with notable annual increases. This positive trend continued into the mid-1980s but faced setbacks in the early 1990s, beginning with a decline in 1992. The subsequent years saw fluctuations, with notable losses in the mid-1990s and minor recoveries in the early 2000s. More recent years, such as 2021, marked a rebound with considerable growth in hydropower generation. While these improvements are promising, the sporadic nature of these changes underscores the need for a more consistent and sustainable strategy to expand low-carbon electricity to counter the adverse effects of fossil fuel dependency.
