Hydroelectric Power
Huichon contains a number of small hydroelectric power plants surrounding it as well as a major hydroelectric plant (Huichon No. 2) which was completed in April 2012, seven years ahead of schedule. It's main purpose is to supply steady electricity to Pyongyang (175 km to the southeast). It has a maximum power generation capacity of 300,000 kilowatts.
In December 2012, a report surfaced that the Huichon No. 2 Power Station had severe structural problems and was leaking. The problems are so large that Pyongyang now receives as little as 5 hours of electricity a day. According to the Radio Free Asia report "Only the Kim idolization facilities, apartments for Central Party officials, the Koryo Hotel and Changjeon St. have 24-hour electricity, while the districts where ordinary people live can only use electricity for five hours a day."
South Korean news source, The Chosun Ilbo, also reported that when Kim Jong-il learned of the problems he flew into a fit of rage, ordered severe punishments for those involved and subsequently died from a heart attack as a result.
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