The effort of mankind for freeing itself from reliance on fossil energy brought about a rapid switchover to development and utilization of natural energy.

The DPRK has rich energy resources such as solar, wind, water and tidal power.

Especially, the wind energy resources are relatively abundant with the annually exploitable wind power resources amounting to tens of billions of kilowatt-hours, which can be used to develop the capacity for generating millions of kilowatts of electricity. The west coastal areas of the country have large tidal power resources for their characteristic topography.

At present, the country is directing considerable efforts to harnessing natural energies and ensuring a clean environment for living.

Accordingly, it set its sight on making natural energy take up a large share in the total power output of the nation.

It has increased the power generation capacity based on natural and renewable energy sources by tens of thousands of kilowatts this year alone.

Among others, solar energy is widely adopted as a means to attain self-sufficiency in electricity.

All the provinces, cities and counties are introducing photovoltaic generating systems that suit their natural and geographical conditions and specific circumstances of units so as to provide power for illumination, production and management, education, cultural activities, health service and communications.

Especially, Pyongyang is exerting constant efforts toward that end.

It built a system-parallel photovoltaic power plant involving over 100 units in the area of the Rungna People’s Recreation Ground and more than doubled the generation capacity.

Many units converted separate photovoltaic generating systems into system-parallel ones so as to contribute to the national electricity output. They are adding over 70 000kW to the national power grid every month, while providing for their own need for electricity.

An effort for exploiting more biomass energy resources is gaining momentum.

South Hwanghae Province has created a biomass-based power generation capacity of over 2 200kW including a generating system relying on the gasification of rice chaff. Many factories, enterprises and farms across the country have also established power generation systems based on the gasification of rice chaff and methane.

Meanwhile, scientific research projects are underway to constantly upgrade natural energy development technologies.

The State Commission of Science and Technology completed a complex photovoltaic generating system which is designed to increase output and raise the utilization rate. The West Sea Barrage Company in Nampho developed and introduced a solar energy-based technique for protecting steel structures from corrosion, providing a scientific guarantee for controlling the erosion of floodgates and increasing their lifespan. The central heating research institute developed an air cooling system using underground water directly.