North Korea's solar power capacity increased by about 86% last year

According to a recent report by KCNA, North Korea’s nationwide power generation capacity using multiple energy sources has increased. In the past year, solar power, biomass, and coal gasification power generation capacity increased by approximately 86%, 7.7%, and 4.7%, respectively.

Since the beginning of this year, all parts of North Korea have fully tapped and utilized energy resources: the reconstruction of wind and solar power stations in North Ping An Province has injected impetus into the local economic development. Huangzhou County in the North Yellow Sea Province relies on anthracite coal, rice chaff and solar energy to generate electricity, and many units in the North Yellow Sea Province also use biogas to generate electricity. Some counties in South Huanghai Province have also established solar and wind power generation systems to meet local power needs.

The North Korean capital, Pyongyang, actively uses solar and wind energy to improve power supply. In order to make effective use of solar energy, units with low sunshine rates in Pyongyang share solar power stations. Some households in the large urban area of Pyongyang have applied related technologies in the solar power generation system to connect with the national grid to effectively use electricity.

In addition, multiple power stations across North Korea have been completed and put into production. In October this year, the model Jinyejiang No. 2 power station of North Korea's medium and small hydropower station was completed; in November this year, the Wenchuan Military and Civilian Power Station in Gangwon Province was completed and put into use.

Traditional thermal power generation is still one of the main sources of electricity in North Korea. For this reason, some coal mines in North Korea have worked hard to complete the annual national economic plan to provide sufficient coal supply for thermal power generation.

In terms of improving and increasing power supply, scientific research institutions such as the Institute of Natural Energy of the North Korean National Academy of Sciences are committed to studying the use of various natural energy sources for power production. In the past two years, the institute has continued to innovate in increasing electricity production using geothermal, wind, biomass and solar energy. It has also researched and utilized abundant hot spring water resources for electricity production. In addition, it has also promoted biogas power generation systems.

KCNA recently reported that in accordance with the actual conditions and environment of the local area, all parts of North Korea are actively developing and using a variety of energy resources to solve the power problem under the premise of ensuring that the natural environment is not destroyed. This has contributed to the economic development and the improvement of people’s livelihood with an endless stream of power in all regions.