North Korea Proposes Solar Power Investment in Exchange for West Sea Aquaculture Leases to China

This initiative addresses the country's chronic electricity shortages amid ongoing economic challenges.

Key Proposal Details:

    • Investment Terms: North Korea's Second Economic Committee (military-economic oversight body) offered 10-year leases for approximately 5,000 West Sea fish farms in return for solar plant funding

    • Project Scope: Proposed 2.5 million kW/day solar facility on North Korea's west coast

    • Geographic Coverage: Aquaculture sites span Seoncheon-gun (North Pyongan), Jeungsan-gun (South Pyongan), Gwaksan, and Yeomju counties

    • Transmission Method: Documents faxed from Pyongyang to Chinese investor contacts

Context & Challenges:

1. Precedent: Similar 2019 proposal offered rare earth mining rights in Cheolsan-gun for solar investment

2. Sanction Constraints: UN sanctions prohibit rare earth exports, stalling previous negotiations

3. Strategic Shift: Current aquaculture-focused proposal avoids sanction-restricted resources

4. Economic Pressure: Provincial officials confirm Pyongyang's "all-means-necessary" foreign investment drive

Energy Crisis Background:

    • Generation Capacity: 24.9 billion kW (2018) - 4.3% of South Korea's output

    • Per Capita Production: 940 kWh (2019) - 8.6% of South Korea's level

    • Infrastructure Challenges: Aging hydro/thermal plants and inefficient grid systems

Renewable Energy Efforts:

    • 2013 Renewable Energy Act prioritized solar/wind/geothermal development

    • Pre-pandemic imports of Chinese solar components supported institutional installations

    • Current blockade impedes technical advancement and part procurement

Chinese Response:

Investors reportedly remain cautious due to:

    • Geopolitical risks

    • Implementation uncertainties

    • Long-term viability concerns