North Korea Electricity: Generation Mix, Demand and Emissions
North Korea generated 27.1 TWh of electricity in 2024, according to Ember. Hydro was the largest source at 62.7%, followed by coal (34.1%) and other fossil (2.6%). Demand was 27.1 TWh and each kWh generated emitted 341 gCO2/kWh. These are annual statistics for 2024; they are compiled from national sources and are not real time.
Key Facts
- North Korea generated 27.1 TWh of electricity in 2024.
- Hydro supplied 62.7% of North Korea's electricity in 2024.
- Coal supplied 34.1% of North Korea's electricity in 2024.
- Other fossil supplied 2.6% of North Korea's electricity in 2024.
- Low carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) supplied 63.4% of North Korea's generation in 2024.
- The carbon intensity of North Korea's electricity was 341 gCO2/kWh in 2024.
- North Korea's carbon intensity in 2024 was 22% lower than in 2000, when it was 435 gCO2/kWh.
- North Korea had the 69th highest electricity demand among the 197 countries with Ember data for 2024.
Key Figures, 2024
| Measure | Value | As of / source |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 27.1 TWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Electricity demand | 27.1 TWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Demand per person | 1.02 MWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Net imports | 0 TWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Carbon intensity | 341 gCO2/kWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Power sector emissions | 9.23 MtCO2 | 2024 · Ember |
| Demand rank (countries with 2024 data) | 69 of 197 | 2024 · Ember |
Generation Mix, 2024
| Source | Generation | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Hydro | 17.0 TWh | 62.7% |
| Coal | 9.23 TWh | 34.1% |
| Other fossil | 700 GWh | 2.6% |
| Solar | 170 GWh | 0.6% |
Year by Year
Ember annual statistics, 2000 to 2024| Year | Hydro | Coal | Other fossil | Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 10.1 TWh | 8.40 TWh | 800 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2001 | 10.5 TWh | 8.59 TWh | 1.01 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2002 | 10.5 TWh | 8.14 TWh | 1.01 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2003 | 11.6 TWh | 8.29 TWh | 990 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2004 | 12.4 TWh | 8.48 TWh | 1.00 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2005 | 13.0 TWh | 8.94 TWh | 830 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2006 | 12.5 TWh | 9.18 TWh | 640 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2007 | 13.2 TWh | 7.48 TWh | 760 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2008 | 13.9 TWh | 8.35 TWh | 780 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2009 | 12.4 TWh | 10.4 TWh | 600 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2010 | 13.3 TWh | 9.73 TWh | 570 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2011 | 13.1 TWh | 7.18 TWh | 620 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2012 | 13.4 TWh | 7.45 TWh | 550 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2013 | 13.8 TWh | 7.63 TWh | 570 GWh | 10.0 GWh |
| 2014 | 12.9 TWh | 8.01 TWh | 590 GWh | 10.0 GWh |
| 2015 | 9.90 TWh | 8.19 TWh | 810 GWh | 30.0 GWh |
| 2016 | 12.7 TWh | 10.2 TWh | 940 GWh | 40.0 GWh |
| 2017 | 11.8 TWh | 10.8 TWh | 780 GWh | 50.0 GWh |
| 2018 | 12.7 TWh | 11.3 TWh | 770 GWh | 60.0 GWh |
| 2019 | 11.0 TWh | 11.9 TWh | 930 GWh | 80.0 GWh |
| 2020 | 12.8 TWh | 10.4 TWh | 850 GWh | 100 GWh |
| 2021 | 16.1 TWh | 8.89 TWh | 510 GWh | 130 GWh |
| 2022 | 16.6 TWh | 9.23 TWh | 570 GWh | 150 GWh |
| 2023 | 16.6 TWh | 9.23 TWh | 740 GWh | 150 GWh |
| 2024 | 17.0 TWh | 9.23 TWh | 700 GWh | 170 GWh |
| Year | Generation | Demand | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27.1 TWh | 27.1 TWh | 341 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 26.7 TWh | 26.7 TWh | 346 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 26.6 TWh | 26.6 TWh | 344 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 25.6 TWh | 25.6 TWh | 342 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 24.1 TWh | 24.1 TWh | 425 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 23.9 TWh | 23.9 TWh | 487 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 24.8 TWh | 24.8 TWh | 446 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 23.4 TWh | 23.4 TWh | 453 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 23.8 TWh | 23.8 TWh | 426 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 18.9 TWh | 18.9 TWh | 433 gCO2/kWh |
Full year by year history for North Korea, 2000 to 2024
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2024.
North Korea Electricity FAQ
What is the main source of electricity in North Korea?
Hydro was the largest source of electricity in North Korea in 2024, supplying 62.7% of generation, followed by coal (34.1%) and other fossil (2.6%). Figures are Ember annual statistics.
How much electricity does North Korea use?
North Korea used 27.1 TWh of electricity in 2024, about 1.02 MWh per person.
How clean is North Korea's electricity?
Generating a kilowatt hour of electricity in North Korea emitted 341 gCO2/kWh in 2024, and low carbon sources supplied 63.4% of generation. That is 28% below the world average of 472 gCO2/kWh.