WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

infrastructure and of the transmission and distribution
network. 7
In fact, since the Fukushima nuclear incident in March
2011, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s
state media have reported widely on renewable
energy development with leader Kim Jong Il inspecting
a newly constructed experimental solar water heating
facility in Pyongyang, and stating his approval to
‘aggressively develop and utilize renewable energy
sources, such as solar heating’. 8 There are recent
indications of the nation’s desire to increase bi-lateral
agreements and technology transfers within the
renewable sector. 9
8. Nakano, A. (2011). North Korea also turning to
renewable energy sources. The Asahi Shimbun.
Available from
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/asia/AJ201111290057
Accessed December 2012.
9. Rodong Shinmun (2012). International Workshop
on Wind Energy Technology Held Rodong Shinmun.
Available from
www.rodong.rep.kp/InterEn/index.php?strPageID=SF
01_02_01&newsID=2012-05-09-
0015&chAction=S&strSearch=solar%20energy
Accessed December 2012.
According to Korean Central News Agency, the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has, in
addition, revised its environmental protection law in
late 2011 to promote the development and use of
renewable energy sources. 8
Legislation on small hydropower
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has set a
policy to develop small hydropower, however no
further information is available.
Barriers to small hydropower development
Financial challenges are the main barrier to develop
the small hydropower potential. Remaining problems
include the lack of generation equipment including
turbines and power system, as well as automation.
References
1. Central Intelligence Agency (2012). The World
Factbook. Available from
www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/.
2. World Bank (2010). Addressing the Electricity Gap.
Available from
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTESC/Resource
s/Addressing_the_Electricity_Access_Gap.pdf.
3. Jin, R.Y. and Chol, R.S. (2010). The Trend of Small
hydropower Resrarch and Development in D.P.R
Korea. Presentation at the Hangzhou Regional Centre
for Small Hydropower, China.
4. Intentional Business Publications (2008). Korea
North: Energy Policy, Laws and Regulation Handbook:
Strategic Information and Developments.
International Business Publications, vol. 1.
5. United Nations Development Programme
Democratic Republic of Korea (2011). Project Fact
Sheet: Sustainable Rural Energy Development
Programme. July 2011.
6. Eur (2002). Far East and Australasia 34 th . Routledge.
7. United Nations Development Programme (2011).
Country programme for the Democratic Republic of
Korea (2011-2015). Available from
http://web.undp.org/dprk/
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