Top Best Coal Power Plants in North Korea for 2024

Among the world’s most fascinating nations is North Korea. Information is scarce in this closed-off and secretive culture. Nonetheless, sources for data regarding the country’s electrical infrastructure are available. A list of all the North Korean power plants may be found in this article. With sections devoted to coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear power, it offers comprehensive details regarding the origin and location of the plants. Moreover, it offers data on transmission, capacity, and other relevant statistics. This is a crucial resource for everyone looking to learn about North Korea’s electricity infrastructure and how it affects the country, as it provides a wealth of information.

The list of all North Korean coal-fired power plants is provided below.

List of all Coal Power Plants in North Korea in table format

We have made the following table, which includes a list of North Korea’s coal-fired power plants, for the convenience of our readers:

Information Sources: GCPT, WRI, CARMA

Best Coal Power Plants in North Korea in 2023

Below is information about North Korea’s top coal-powered plant:

Powerplant Chongjin Chemical Fiber Reviews

Situated in Chongjin, North Korea, the Chongjin Chemical Fiber Power Plant is a coal-fired facility roughly situated at latitude 41.7956 and longitude 129.7758. With a 6 MW operating capacity, it started providing electricity to the national grid in 1976. This coal-fired power plant, which is among North Korea’s oldest, is mostly used to generate electricity for local consumption.

The Chongjin Chemical Fiber Power Plant poses a risk of thermal pollution, just as the majority of coal-fired power plants. North Korea has imposed measures to restrict the quantity of pollutants that the station is allowed to emit in an effort to lower the emissions from the plant. These include air pollution removal systems (APRS), temperature controls, and contamination controls. It is anticipated that the power plant has the capacity to produce five to six megawatts of energy, the majority of which is sent to the national grid.

The Chongjin Chemical Fiber Power Plant, which supplies a steady supply of power needed by local government, businesses, and families, has played a pivotal role in the economic growth of the region. The production of electricity holds significant strategic value, especially considering North Korea’s limited energy resources and its critical role in the country’s local and regional economic development.

Powerplant Chongjin City power station Reviews

The 450 MW coal-fired Chongjin City Power Station is situated in Chongjin City, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea. Since its commissioning in 1999, it has been supplying adjacent towns and cities with electricity. The location of the plant is 41.7633 latitude and 129.7502 longitude. With coal as its main energy source, it runs on it. By burning coal effectively, this power station can produce up to 450 MW of electricity.

An important factor in the North Hamgyong Province’s increased access to electricity is the Chongjin City power plant. It has made power available to nearby communities, giving them a consistent supply of electricity. Better living circumstances and easier access to technological services and goods, like computers, washing machines, refrigerators, and televisions, have been made possible by this. Additionally, the power plant has contributed significantly to the region’s economic growth by giving locals jobs and fostering economic prosperity.

Powerplant December (Nampo) power station Reviews

The December (Nampo) power station is located at latitude 38.7285 and longitude 125.4161 in Nampo, North Korea. This 200 megawatt coal-fired power station is operational. Beginning in December 2018, the power plant’s construction is expected to cost $284.66 million in total. The year 2022 was selected as the anticipated completion date, and 1,601 GWh of power are predicted to be generated annually.

Coal is the major fuel used in the power plant, and the coal mines in the area provide the fuel. The facility is equipped to use cutting-edge pollution control technology to lower the emission of coal chemicals that deplete the ozone layer, and it is connected to the National Power System (ODS). Additionally, the plant will produce steam to heat the surrounding area. Owing to its close proximity to the port of Nampo, the facility will also assist in meeting the region’s growing electrical demand.

Powerplant December 12th Power plant Reviews

The 100 MW coal-fired December 12th Power Plant is situated at 38.8893 latitude and 125.5596 longitude. On December 12th, the power plant began operations, with an anticipated 100 megawatts of power generated. The main fuel utilized in the facility is coal. In addition to meeting a significant portion of the region’s energy needs, the power plant boosts jobs in the community and the local economy.

Two 50 MW units make up the plant, together with two bi-drum indirect hot fueled steam generators, a condensation turbine generator set, two single-shaft piston pump turbo-generators, and an extraction-exhaust boiler. A desulfurization facility treats the exhaust emissions so they adhere to environmental regulations. The plant also makes use of cutting-edge technology, including computerized power generation predictions and automation.

The power plant is a role model for other power plants in the area because of its commendable efficiency and utilization of alternate and renewable energy sources. As a vital component of the community’s infrastructure, the plant aids in supplying a steady and reliable supply of electricity. The establishment of the facility has also benefited the local economy by stimulating the economy and generating jobs.

Powerplant East Pyongyang power station Reviews

Located in Pyongyang, North Korea, East Pyongyang Power Station is a 500 megawatt (MW) coal-fired power facility. The latitude and longitude of the power plant are 38.9695 and 125.6881, respectively. The main fuel utilized in the power plant to produce electricity is coal. With an anticipated yearly power output of 4,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh), the power plant came online in April 2012.

An essential energy source for North Korea, the East Pyongyang power plant makes a substantial contribution to the nation’s electrical supply. Apart from producing energy, the power plant also serves the local households’ and businesses’ needs for heating and cooling. The industrial and agricultural sectors of North Korea are also supported by the power plant. Furthermore, it is essential to North Korea’s objective of becoming energy independent.

Powerplant Haeju Cement Reviews

Situated in Haeju, North Korea, the Haeju Cement power plant is located at latitude 38.029 and longitude 125.6628. It is a coal-fired power plant with an undetermined start date and an estimated 200 megawatt capacity. The factory is situated in South Hwanghae province’s Haeju City, beside Haeju Bay. It is the third-largest installed capacity in terms of power output in North Korea.

Coal is the main fuel used by the Haeju Cement Power Plant to generate electricity for Haeju City and the surrounding areas. In addition, the factory supplies chemicals and refineries, which in turn boost the regional economy. Being close to the Haeju thermal power station also helps the Haeju Cement Power Plant since it makes it possible to use waste heat as a source of energy in the surrounding area.

The Haeju Cement power station is expected to generate 500 million kWh of electricity per year. Although the local industry mostly use this power, it also supplies energy to the nearby rural areas, giving the residents there access to electricity. The state-of-the-art Clean Air Act, which was applied in this facility, controls the release of pollutants and CO2 emissions, which makes this power plant extremely beneficial to the environment.

Powerplant Hamhung Reviews

North Korea’s Hamhung city is situated in the South Hamgyong province. It is the nation’s second-biggest metropolis, behind Pyongyang. Fishing and heavy industry are the primary economic activities in the region. The largest power plant in the area is the 500 MW Hamhung Power Plant, which uses coal as its major fuel. Situated at latitude 39.8531 north and longitude 127.5789 east, it supplies electricity to the whole city. Established in 1987, the power plant generates approximately 2.5 TWh per year.

The city’s electricity needs are met by the Hamhung Power Plant, one of North Korea’s bigger coal-based power plants, which has seen exponential growth in the last few decades. Even if efforts to lessen the plant’s carbon impact have been made recently, it remains the nation’s greatest single source of emissions. As the nation works to reduce emissions, the plant has also been the subject of environmental regulations. New emissions-reducing technology and more pollution control devices have been installed as recent steps.

Powerplant Hongnam Fertilizer Reviews

Hongnam Fertilizer Powerplant can be found in latitude 39.8402 and longitude 127.6341. It is a coal-fired power plant in South Korea with a capacity of 18 megawatts. When the power plant is put into service in 2020, it will supply electricity to the surrounding communities and the nearby area. Additionally, it supplies thermal energy to the adjacent fertilizer plant, which makes use of the heat produced by the power plant to produce fertilizer.

The Hongnam Fertilizer Powerplant has a thermal efficiency of about 25%. This efficiency is mostly attributable to the use of coal as the primary fuel source. A belt conveyor system transports the coal from the mining locations to the power plant. The coal is subsequently burned in the boilers of the power plant to produce steam, which powers the plant’s turbines and generates energy. After that, the power produced is sent to the fertilizer plant in the area.

In its first year of operation, the Hongnam Fertilizer Powerplant was expected to generate roughly 11,215 gigawatt-hours of power. This is sufficient electricity to power several nearby towns and local areas, enabling them to get the electricity they require. The plant is an environmentally responsible energy source for the local communities because it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Powerplant Pukchang power station Reviews

Located in North Korea’s Chagang Province, Pukchang Power Station is a 1600 MW coal-fired power plant. The station opened for business in the 2000s and is situated at 39.5858 N and 126.3043 E. One of North Korea’s biggest energy generators, Pukchang Power Plant supplies most of the electricity it produces to Pyongyang and the surrounding areas.

The main fuel utilized at the Pukchang power plant is coal. When running at maximum capacity, the facility can produce 1605MW of power. For both the locals and the economy of North Korea, the energy produced is a significant benefit. Based on the information that is currently available, the power plant has been running at an efficiency rate of 80% and is projected to produce 13.2 gigawatt-hours in 2019.

Powerplant Pyongyang power station Reviews

With a 400 megawatt capacity, the Pyongyang power station is situated in latitude 39.0093 and longitude 125.7109. Commencing operations in 2015, the plant plays a crucial role in providing electricity to Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea. The main fuel utilized in the power plant to produce electricity is coal. About 3.8 million houses might have been powered by the anticipated 500 gigawatt-hours of electricity produced in 2019 by the Pyongyang power plant.

Several cutting-edge technologies are used in the Pyongyang power plant to guarantee effective energy output. For example, waste heat from burning coal is collected and converted into energy using heat-recovery steam generators. This technique offers an effective way to generate electricity by drastically lowering the amount of fuel required to produce a given amount of power. Modern air pollution controls are also in place to lessen the discharge of dangerous pollutants.

Powerplant Rajin Reviews

The 400MW coal-fired power station Rajin is situated close to the Russian border in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s Rason Special Economic Zone. The power plant’s precise coordinates are 129.7915 longitude and 41.7784 latitude. The two 200 MW coal-fired units of the power station started operating in October 2020, after construction was finished in February 2019.

Rajin Power Plant, a joint venture between the DPRK’s Ministry of Electricity and the Russian business Mechel, is the first significant cross-border investment in the DPRK. Mechel owns the bulk of the shares, with the Ministry of Electricity holding the remaining portion. The power plant is anticipated to generate up to 400 MW of electricity, making it the DPRK’s largest generator and assisting in meeting the country’s needs for electricity in both the North and the South.

Powerplant River Chongchon Reviews

The 200 megawatt coal-fired River Chongchon power plant is situated at 40.0707 latitude and 124.5524 longitude in North Korea. The power plant, which started operating in 2009, has the capacity to generate enough electricity to run 160,000 houses. The power station uses coal as its primary fuel and has state-of-the-art emission-reduction systems installed.

River Chongchon’s carbon-capture technology is comparable to contemporary clean coal technologies. With the deployment of this technology, the plant’s emissions of pollutants—such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide—which can have negative effects on human health and the environment—will be reduced. The plant also features effective, well-maintained machinery that uses the least amount of energy possible to provide dependable electric power.

North Korea receives a substantial amount of electricity from the River Chongchon Power Plant, which guarantees the nation’s energy needs are satisfied. This power plant is an example of how North Korea invests in cutting-edge technology to lower emissions and boost energy efficiency because of its efficient technologies and low emissions.

Powerplant Sariwon Reviews

North Korea’s Sariwon coal-fired power station can produce 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Situated at 38 46’31″N 125 49’31″E, the establishment commenced functioning in June 1996 and is approximated to cater to the electrical requirements of over one million households. This power plant uses coal as its major fuel because of its abundant coal deposits. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the North Korean government keep an eye on the facility to make sure it is operating safely and effectively.

North Korean government-run organizations distribute the estimated 450 GWh of electricity produced annually by the Sariwon power plant to homes. With cutting-edge emission control features like desulfurization units, denitrification units, electrostatic precipitators, bag filters, and sludge-water treatment systems, the Sariwon power plant is renowned for its high efficiency and environmental friendliness. Additionally, the plant’s technology is appropriate for recovering hazardous wastes including bottom ash and fly ash.

Powerplant Sunchon power station Reviews

North Korea’s South Pyongan province is home to the 400 megawatt (MW) coal-fired Sunchon Power Station. The power plant was put into service in December 1995 and is situated at latitude 39.4014 and longitude 125.9682. With a 400 MW estimated power generation, it runs mostly on coal.

The major electricity supplier in North Korea, Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), owns and runs the Sunchon Power Station. It was originally intended for the 400 MW coal-fired power station to run on imported coal. But in recent times, the plant has switched to using only homegrown coal sources, which makes it a crucial component of North Korea’s electrical infrastructure.

Being one of North Korea’s biggest coal-fired power plants, the Sunchon Power Station is essential to the country’s electricity supply for Pyongyang and numerous other cities. Since the facility generates close to 400 MW of electricity, it also aids in lowering the country’s reliance on oil.

Powerplant The Feburary 8th Vinylon Reviews

Situated in Jecheon, South Korea, the February 8th Vinylon Power Plant is a 29 megawatt coal-fired power plant. The plant can be found in 39.8531 latitude and 127.579 longitude. It was inaugurated in 2002 and is in charge of providing energy to the local community. The plant produces eight gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, according to estimates.

The principal energy source utilized to run the facility is coal, which is mined locally in the area. After that, the coal is sent to the plant, where it is used in the high-temperature boilers to produce steam from water. The turbines are turned by the steam, which produces power. After that, the power grid receives the electricity and distributes it to the consumers.

FAQ

Q1. What type of coal is used in North Korean power plants?

A. For its power facilities, North Korea mostly uses lignite and anthracite coals. With a heat content of about 28 million BTU/ton, anthracite coal is a premium clean-burning coal. Lower grade lignite coal has a heat content of 8 to 14 million BTU/ton and is softer than anthracite.

Q2. What are some of the challenges faced by North Korean power plants?

A. A multitude of obstacles impede North Korea’s ability to maintain and run its power plants. These include running out of gasoline, depending too much on outdated equipment, and having trouble getting money for improvements. In addition, a lot of plants contribute significantly to air pollution since they lack contemporary emissions control technology.

Q3. What role does coal play in North Korea’s energy mix?

A. In North Korea, coal makes up almost 70% of the country’s total primary energy supply. A lesser quantity of coal is utilized for heating and other industrial uses, whereas the majority is used to create power.

Q4. How is coal transported to North Korean power plants?

A. Usually, trucks and trains are used to deliver coal to North Korean power plants. The most popular mode of transportation is rail because it is more dependable and effective. However, truck transportation is also utilized to reach more remote locations due to the absence of contemporary infrastructure.

Q5. Are there any technological innovations being used in North Korean power plants?

A. In North Korean power plants, a few limited technological breakthroughs are in use. For instance, some plants are starting to use biomass, wind, and solar technology. Additionally, efforts have been made to increase the efficiency of currently operating coal-fired plants; as a result, some of them are outfitted with cutting-edge pollution control technology.

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