World Power Plants

December (Nampo) power station200 MW Coal

Coal

Ranking as the 17th largest power generation facility in North Korea, the December (Nampo) power station plays a significant role in the nation's energy landscape. With a capacity of 200 MW, this coal-fired plant contributes approximately 2.17% to North Korea's total capacity of 9,208 MW, highlighting its importance in a country where coal is the dominant fuel source. Commissioned in 1996 and operated by the Ministry of Electric Power, the December power station is part of a regional energy cluster that includes several other facilities. Notably, it neighbors the East Pyongyang power station, which boasts a capacity of 500 MW, as well as the Pyongyang power station and Sariwon, both coal-powered with capacities of 400 MW and 200 MW respectively. This proximity to larger coal plants emphasizes the December station's role within North Korea's energy framework, which consists of 31 total plants, 16 of which are coal facilities. The December power station’s output is crucial for meeting local demand, especially considering that it is one of the eight coal plants ranked in the country, underscoring its position within a primarily coal-powered grid. The strategic location of the December power station not only serves the immediate area but also supports the overall stability of the regional grid, which is critical given the country's limited energy resources. As North Korea continues to navigate challenges related to energy supply and infrastructure, the December power station’s role as a coal-fired facility remains vital. Looking ahead, this plant is positioned to contribute to efforts aimed at enhancing energy reliability and addressing the challenges posed by coal dependency, which is prevalent in North Korea's energy profile.

Capacity
200 MW
Commissioning Year
1996

30 years old

Owner
Ministry of Electric Power
Location
38.7285°, 125.4161°

North Korea, Asia

Context & rankings
  • 17. largest of 31 plants in North Korea
  • #7,393 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #2,107 of 2,793 Coal plants worldwide
  • 2.17% of the installed capacity of North Korea
Age & fleet comparison

30 years in operation

Coal fleet average: 29.2 years

Operator portfolio

Ministry of Electric Power operates 3 plants totalling 1,150 MW

Regional density

8 plants within 100 km, 2,281 MW combined

Nearest plant: Unbong (15.1 km)

Data provenance

Location

Coordinates:: 38.728500, 125.416100
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint820 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
790.2 Kt
964 GWh/year × 820 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
23.70 Mt
Over 30 years of operation
Est. Retirement
2036
10 years remaining
Annual emissions equivalent to
171.8K
cars per year
105.4K
homes per year
35.9M
trees to offset

Estimates based on Coal emission factor (820 g CO₂/kWh) and capacity factor (55%). Actual emissions may vary based on operating conditions, efficiency, and fuel quality.

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Coal
Energy Source
Non-Renewable
Country
North Korea
Continent
Asia
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

North KoreaEnergy Profile

31
Total Plants
9.2 GW
Total Capacity
CoalHydro
Top Fuels

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