North Korea expands solar power plants to resolve power shortage

As North Korea expands the use of renewable energy to resolve chronic power shortages, it is focusing its efforts on expanding solar power plants.

According to North Korean state media such as the Korean Central News Agency on the 25th, new solar power plants with a capacity of several thousand kW and 10,000 kW were built in Kim Hyong-gwon County, Yanggang Province and Haeju, South Hwanghae Province, at the end of last year and in May this year, respectively.

The Rodong Sinmun introduced the Kim Hyeong-kwon-gun power plant, saying, "It was built according to the first stage plan to create tens of thousands of kW of solar power generation capacity in Ryanggang Province," and "another material and technological foundation that can contribute to the continued growth of electric power production has been laid."

At Haeju Power Plant, about 10,000 highly efficient and long-lasting ‘double-sided solar panels’ were installed. It is said to have high power production efficiency as it can absorb not only direct sunlight from the sun but also light reflected from the ground.

In addition, solar power plants were built one after another in three districts in Pyongyang, as well as in West Lake and Dongheung, South Hamgyong Province.

The news agency reported that projects to build solar power plants and expand power generation capacity are also underway in several other regions, including South Pyongan Province, North Hwanghae Province, and North Hamgyong Province.

In May 2013, North Korea adopted the 'Renewable Energy Act' aimed at efficient use of renewable energy, including solar energy, and established the 'Natural Energy Research Institute' under the National Academy of Sciences the following year to encourage related projects.

In the past, solar panels were supplied and installed on small scale such as homes or factories, but recently, there has been a focus on building separate solar power facilities with large power generation capacity.

While promoting the effectiveness of solar power generation on a large scale, work is also being done to improve the efficiency of existing small-scale facilities.

The Korean Central News Agency said, "Last July in South Hwanghae Province, a new integrated solar charging inverter with a capacity of several tens of kW was installed and a demonstration was conducted of several units that are producing and guaranteeing their own electricity. Numerous residents' households are guaranteeing the electricity they need for home life without receiving any electricity from the government, and the number is increasing day by day."

Regarding solar power generation, North Korea also has a separate institution, the 'Intelligent Solar Battery Manufacturing Center', within Kim Il-sung University.

Chosun Central TV introduced the organization and said, "Over the past 10 years, we have built a solar power generation system with a capacity of several thousand kW in hundreds of units and regions."

North Korea's move to expand solar power generation is expected to accelerate based on its relationship with China, which has recently become closer.

China is the world's largest solar panel producer, and there are observations that exports of related items to North Korea may increase amid relaxed trade sanctions.

According to the National Statistical Office, North Korea's annual electricity production in 2024 is 25.3 billion kWh, which is only 4.2% of South Korea's (595.6 billion kWh) during the same period. By power generation source, hydroelectric power accounts for approximately 60% and thermal power accounts for approximately 30%.