Cheongcheon-Gang power station
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Cheongcheon-Gang power station (청천강화력발전소는) is an operating power station of at least 200-megawatts (MW) in Anju City, North Pyongan, North Korea.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheongcheon-Gang power station | Anju City, North Pyongan, North Korea | 39.65655, 125.66883 (exact) |
The map below shows the exact location of the power station.
Unit-level coordinates (WGS 84):
- Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4: 39.65655, 125.66883
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology | Start year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | operating | coal: lignite | 50 | subcritical | 1976 |
| Unit 2 | operating | coal: lignite | 50 | subcritical | 1977 |
| Unit 3 | operating | coal: lignite | 50 | subcritical | 1977 |
| Unit 4 | operating | coal: lignite | 50 | subcritical | 1977 |
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Owner | Parent |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Cheongcheon-Gang Power Plant [100%] | Cheongcheon-Gang Power Plant [100.0%] |
| Unit 2 | Cheongcheon-Gang Power Plant [100%] | Cheongcheon-Gang Power Plant [100.0%] |
| Unit 3 | Cheongcheon-Gang Power Plant [100%] | Cheongcheon-Gang Power Plant [100.0%] |
| Unit 4 | Cheongcheon-Gang Power Plant [100%] | Cheongcheon-Gang Power Plant [100.0%] |
Background
The 200 MW Cheongcheon-Gang power station is located on the northern bank of the Cheongcheon River, about 18 km southwest of Bakcheon-eup and about 5 km northeast of Anju. With the aid of China, construction started in May 1971 and was completed in December 1977. There are 2 industrial water facilities for cooling using the Cheongcheon River and 6 boiler rooms. This power plant was built to supply electric power to industrial districts such as coal mines in Gaecheon District and chemical factories and paper factories in Namheung District.[1]
A 2015 report by the Korea Development Bank (KDB산업은행) provided additional background on the 200 MW power station (Google Translate):[2]
- It started operating "Generator No. 1 in December 1976" and "Generator No. 2-4 between March and December 1977";
- In May 1996, "4 boilers were repaired and 2 generators were remodelled";
- The generated electricity is "mainly supplied to chemical and paper mills such as Namheung Youth Chemical Cooperative Company in Anju."
- In 2002, it was said that "a great result was achieved in technological innovation for the blade remodelling of the pulverized coal feeder of Boiler Workplace No. 2, 3, and 5 boilers";
- The power station may also be oil-fired ("heavy oil flowmeters were introduced in automated workplaces, and technological innovation proposals such as frequency stabilizers and heavy oil burner remodelling were introduced into production").
A media source from 2019 suggested that aging power station has contributed to electricity shortages.[3]
A media article from 2020 referred to the installation of generator shaft movement protection devices, welding of boiler mill replacements and several other types of equipment, based on proprietary technology, that should allow the plant to optimize production.[4]
It was reported that in October 2022 that North Korean Prime Minister Kim Deok-hun visited the power plant and emphasized the need to seek out scientific and technological measures to prevent damage of the equipment caused by seasonal factors (including the rainy season) and to implement technology management to normalize production.[5] According to reporting from the Korea News Service (KNS) in November 2024, improvement projects were underway at the power station to restore productivity to original performance levels.[6]
Capacity reporting
According to S&P Global data, the power station's capacity may be 300 MW (6x50 MW).[7] However, an undated Korea Electricity Industry Promotion Association (KOEMA) power system spreadsheet confirmed the capacity was 200 MW (4 units) based on various sources including personal testimonies. It was acknowledged that some Japanese materials reference 400 MW at the site.[8] In addition, a 2016 report by the North Korea Development Institute also listed the capacity as 200 MW (4 units).[9]
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ "청천강화력발전소(淸川江火力發電所)," encykorea.aks.ac.kr, accessed November 2021
- ↑ “The North Korea’s Industry” (북한의산업.pdf), KDB산업은행, December 2015, available for download at North Korea Information Portal (nkinfo.unikorea.go.kr), Ministry of Unification
- ↑ "“평성 지역도 하루 3시간 미만”…만성적 전력난 여전," Daily NK, May 2, 2019
- ↑ "Introduction of technology economic index analysis program at Cheongcheon Ganghwa Thermal Power Plant, the result". arirangmeari-com. February 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "North Korean Prime Minister Kim Deok-hoon visits the Taean Heavy Machinery Complex and the Chongcheongang Thermal Power Plant". www-tongilnews-com. July 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 전력공업부문에서 생산성과 확대, Korea News Service (KNS), November 4, 2024
- ↑ S&P Global, Platts Market Data: Electric Power, accessed in 2021
- ↑ "화력발전소(중형급) 위치 및 정보," 남북 전력발전, accessed November 2021
- ↑ “최신 북한 전력산업 동향 및 향후 협력전망,” 북한발전연구원, 2016
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of coal-fired power stations, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Plant Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
