Think Tanks Slams Solutions to N. Korea’s Energy Crisis

The construction of light-water reactors or coal power plants or the direct provision of electricity will not be enough to help North Korea relieve its serious energy shortage, a state-run think tanks says. The Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEI) said such proposals betray a lack of understanding of the reality in North Korea and are inappropriate to solve the energy crisis across the border.
The institute offered the assessment in a report on energy aid to the North published late last year. The institute did not even analyze the effectiveness of a 2-million kw light-water reactor the North is demanding since any possible halt in the operation of the reactor caused by a temporary accident or maintenance could cripple the electricity grid and industries of North Korea. The KEEI also called the construction of power plants operated by coal, petroleum or gas