How will solar power help North Korea's rural communities?

Solar panels and wind turbines are off-grid energy sources, meaning that their generated energy will be able to power nearby rural communities rather than large military and industrial sites. This will be especially helpful to improve the living standards of North Korea’s rural residents.

Does North Korea have a power shortage?

Preface 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.

Is North Korea encouraging wind turbines?

Reports claim that the North Korean government is encouraging production plants to erect and make use of wind turbines. Prioritizing the development of off-grid renewable energy in North Korea will provide a more significant number of North Koreans with access to energy.

Should North Korea increase access to energy in rural communities?

As North Korea continues to invest in renewable energy sources, increasing access to energy in rural communities should be of special concern. The majority of North Korea’s population lives in rural areas, which are regions with scarce access to electricity and other energy supplies.

How many people in North Korea do not have electricity?

As of 2020, 48% of the North Korean population did not have access to electricity, and in 2016, only 10.8% had access to clean fuel for cooking. The elites in the capital city Pyongyang consume the majority of energy resources, forcing rural populations to go without.

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 The outdated technology makes them inefficient, and thermal capacity has not risen significantly in decades.