@article{ART003310694},
author={Park Jong Chol},
title={Connecting "Hidden Solar" to the National Grid: Pyongyang's Grid-Connected Energy Plan},
journal={The Journal of Northeast Asia Research},
issn={2005-4432},
year={2026},
volume={41},
number={1},
pages={33-56},
doi={10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.002}
TY - JOUR
AU - Park Jong Chol
TI - Connecting "Hidden Solar" to the National Grid: Pyongyang's Grid-Connected Energy Plan
JO - The Journal of Northeast Asia Research
PY - 2026
VL - 41
IS - 1
PB - The Institute for Northeast Asia Research
SP - 33
EP - 56
SN - 2005-4432
AB - N.Korea is one of the countries with the most vulnerable energy access in the world. Early in the Kim Jong-un era, solar panels began to be distributed primarily to wealthy individuals, businesses, and organizations. This led to the proliferation of "hidden solar power," operating as independent mini-grids not reflected in statistics, throughout N. Korea. This has led to a deepening energy gap between the rich and the poor, while the country remains energy-poor.
In the 2020s, the N. Korean authorities are pursuing a plan to convert these solar power systems, centered around Pyongyang, to grid-connected systems and integrate them into the national power grid. This strategy also serves as a risk-averse strategy against the centralized power supply system. The N. Korean authorities are pursuing a parallel development plan, simultaneously building the existing centralized power generation system for heavy industry and small- and medium-sized distributed solar power facilities tailored to regional characteristics. However, technical challenges such as overload, poor power quality, and stability remain.
This approach to solar power generation, driven by the desire of N. Korean residents to improve their lives and the government's response, mirrors the solutions and initiatives of other energy-poor countries.
KW - Sanctions;Energy Poverty;N. Korean Collapse Theory;Sustainable Development Goal 7
DO - 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.002
ER -
Park Jong Chol. (2026). Connecting "Hidden Solar" to the National Grid: Pyongyang's Grid-Connected Energy Plan. The Journal of Northeast Asia Research, 41(1), 33-56.
Park Jong Chol. 2026, "Connecting "Hidden Solar" to the National Grid: Pyongyang's Grid-Connected Energy Plan", The Journal of Northeast Asia Research, vol.41, no.1 pp.33-56. Available from: doi:10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.002
Park Jong Chol "Connecting "Hidden Solar" to the National Grid: Pyongyang's Grid-Connected Energy Plan" The Journal of Northeast Asia Research 41.1 pp.33-56 (2026) : 33.
Park Jong Chol. Connecting "Hidden Solar" to the National Grid: Pyongyang's Grid-Connected Energy Plan. 2026; 41(1), 33-56. Available from: doi:10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.002
Park Jong Chol. "Connecting "Hidden Solar" to the National Grid: Pyongyang's Grid-Connected Energy Plan" The Journal of Northeast Asia Research 41, no.1 (2026) : 33-56.doi: 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.002
Park Jong Chol. Connecting "Hidden Solar" to the National Grid: Pyongyang's Grid-Connected Energy Plan. The Journal of Northeast Asia Research, 41(1), 33-56. doi: 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.002
Park Jong Chol. Connecting "Hidden Solar" to the National Grid: Pyongyang's Grid-Connected Energy Plan. The Journal of Northeast Asia Research. 2026; 41(1) 33-56. doi: 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.002
Park Jong Chol. Connecting "Hidden Solar" to the National Grid: Pyongyang's Grid-Connected Energy Plan. 2026; 41(1), 33-56. Available from: doi:10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.002
Park Jong Chol. "Connecting "Hidden Solar" to the National Grid: Pyongyang's Grid-Connected Energy Plan" The Journal of Northeast Asia Research 41, no.1 (2026) : 33-56.doi: 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.002
