Orangchon Power Project is an ongoing hydroelectric construction project, described as North Korea's "most ambitious hydroelectric projects during the past thirty years".[1] The project crosses 45 km of the Orang River and stretches through 40 km of water tunnels, past 4 dams and 5 power stations. The country estimates that the project will produce 134,500 kW in energy.

History

The project began under the leadership of Kim Il Sung in 1981 but stagnated for a variety of reasons, but resumed in 2000 when Kim Jong Il visited the site and assigned "national priority" to the completion of the project.[2][3] In 2018, Kim Jong Un visited the site and was reportedly "extremely furious" over lax management when he inspected the site.[4]

Present

In August 2022, the final power station was built, Orangchon Power Plant No.3,[5] 41 years after North Korea's former leader Kim Il Sung first announced it.[6] An audit statement of Power Plant No.3 concluded that the facility assembly and transmission line construction was performed well.

References

  1. ^ High Resolution: North Korea's Orangchon Power Station Project, retrieved 2023-02-25
  2. ^ High Resolution: North Korea's Orangchon Power Station Project, retrieved 2023-02-25
  3. ^ Bremer, Ifang (2022-08-05). "North Korea completes hydroelectric power project, 41 years after announcing it | NK News". NK News - North Korea News. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  4. ^ Bremer, Ifang (2022-08-05). "North Korea completes hydroelectric power project, 41 years after announcing it | NK News". NK News - North Korea News. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  5. ^ "Orangchon Power Station No. 3 Completed".
  6. ^ Bremer, Ifang (2022-08-05). "North Korea completes hydroelectric power project, 41 years after announcing it | NK News". NK News - North Korea News. Retrieved 2023-02-25.