North Korea is ramping up mineral extraction and renewable energy projects in South Pyongan and South Hamgyong provinces, according to multiple sources. This initiative follows directives from the 11th Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee to strengthen resource development and renewable energy as part of a push for economic self-reliance.
Mining modernization drive
“Since Jan. 8, the province has been modernizing mining equipment and expanding operations in response to the Cabinet’s administrative order for January,” a Daily NK source in South Pyongan province reported Wednesday. “The main objective is to revitalize the economy by increasing production of resources like iron ore and coal.”
The source explained that these modernization efforts aim to replace outdated, inefficient equipment and manual labor-intensive methods. The focus is on boosting mining output through automation technology.
In South Hamgyong province, a separate source confirmed receiving “a Cabinet administrative order for January to increase extraction of key resources including phosphorus, zinc, and magnesia clinker.” According to the source, the Cabinet’s strategy is to strengthen the economy by generating foreign currency through resource exports.
The initiative extends beyond resource extraction to renewable energy infrastructure. South Pyongan province has designated the construction of small and medium-sized hydroelectric power plants as a key project for the year, aiming to meet electricity demands in energy-deficient districts and regional factories.
Implementation challenges and expert skepticism
Similarly, South Hamgyong province began installing solar power equipment at local factories and newly constructed rural homes on Jan. 7.
“Following the Cabinet’s January administrative order, the provincial people’s committee has mandated all agencies to install renewable energy equipment, emphasizing the project’s importance,” the South Hamgyong source said. “Expanding renewable energy is crucial to regional development policies.”
However, North Korean citizens are calling for “realistic policies and concrete support” to back these Cabinet orders.
While the Cabinet sees increased resource production and improved power distribution as ways to boost foreign currency earnings and improve living standards, people on the ground point to several challenges requiring active state intervention.
“Small and medium-sized hydroelectric plants can’t operate when rivers freeze in winter, so we need alternative solutions,” noted the South Pyongan source.
The South Hamgyong source added, “Expanding solar energy requires large-scale panel installation, but provinces can’t afford it. We hope the state will provide the panels free of charge.”
South Korean experts remain skeptical about these policies’ effectiveness. Shin Jung-soo, a researcher at the Korea Energy Economics Institute, told Daily NK that North Korea’s efforts to build small and medium-sized power plants since the 1990s “have had minimal impact on power distribution due to poor management and resource allocation issues.” He suggested that the latest policy is “likely just for show, typical of the regime.”
Regarding solar power development, Shin noted that while North Korea claims its domestically manufactured solar panels from Kim Il Sung University’s Photovoltaic Cell Production Center and Mokran Kwangmyong Company produce 30 megawatts annually, “production relies on Chinese-made parts, which are difficult to obtain in large quantities due to international sanctions.” He concluded that even with locally produced solar panels, “achieving meaningful results would be challenging.”
January 20, 2025 at 06:00AM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)