The power shortage in North Korea’s capital Pyongyang remains severe, creating serious disruptions to daily life. Despite efforts to tap renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, these initiatives have had limited impact on addressing the electricity crisis.
An analysis of satellite imagery and visual infrared imagery by Daily NK found that Pyongyang’s central area grew darker at nighttime between June and November.
Lighting was even dimmer at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun and Mansudae Hill, which have emergency generators that are supposed to ensure around-the-clock power.
“May and June were the months this year when the power supply was most reliable. In July and August, we had around an hour of electricity on average four times a week. But homes in the Central, Pyongchon and Mangyongdae districts, which are all downtown, hardly received any power,” a source in Pyongyang told Daily NK recently.
“Even so, the elevators in high-rise apartments — those of 20 floors or above — are powered about two hours a day when people are commuting to and from work, as dictated by Kim Jong Un,” the source said.
“It would be nice to have regularly functioning elevators and get to eat dinner (with our families) in a well-lit space,” the source said, voicing the hope that the power situation will be resolved.
North Korea faces a chronic shortage of electricity. Those who live in high-rise apartments are only able to use the elevators around rush hour. There is no electricity at other hours, forcing residents to make their way up and down the stairs.
The North Korean authorities have been trying to address the power shortage in various ways, such as by utilizing renewable energy. But that is no easy task.
“There’s a big push to use renewable energy sources including wind turbines, solar panels and small hydroelectric generators on rivers and streams in the suburbs. The authorities are also organizing weekly campaigns to save energy,” the source said.
“Renewable energy does provide a little more power, but just enough to keep the lights or television on. It’s certainly not enough to run a rice cooker or fridge,” the source explained.
“Renewable energy isn’t a fundamental solution because it’s not adequate to meet the power demand of the entire city. Pyongyang is the capital and beating heart of our country — the face of the nation. The regime needs to find funds and technicians from overseas to renovate our aging reactors and distribution network,” the source said.
The regime is doing its best to provide power to essential hospitals that often deal with medical emergencies.
“Emergency rooms and the delivery wing at the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital have the best access to electricity. Power is supplied around the clock at places like that. The power supply is more intermittent at ordinary hospital wings, which makes it hard to provide standard medical care,” the source said.
Daily NK works with a network of sources in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. For security reasons, their identities remain anonymous.
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December 09, 2024 at 12:04PM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)