North korea: North Korea is intensifying its focus on utilizing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, as reported by local media. This shift comes as the nation grapples with persistent fuel and electricity shortages due to ongoing international sanctions.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the North's Rodong Sinmun newspaper highlighted a pickled seafood processing factory in Unryul County, South Hwanghae Province, as a showcase of natural energy utilization. The article detailed the establishment of solar and wind power plants in the region, constructed under the guidance of leader Kim Jong-un, who visited the area in 2015. The solar power facility alone houses approximately 11,000 solar panels.

The Rodong Sinmun emphasized that the combination of solar and wind power stations effectively addresses periods of insufficient sunlight by transitioning to wind power generation. This system not only powers factories but also supplies surplus electricity to the homes of factory employees and the national power grid.

A factory manager noted the significant impact of these facilities, stating that since operations began, the factory has not experienced electricity shortages. This reliance on renewable energy aligns with North Korea's efforts to mitigate its chronic electricity deficit caused by international sanctions restricting fuel imports.

South Korea's statistics agency reported that North Korea's electricity generation reached 25.3 billion kilowatt hours in 2024, a mere 4.2 percent of South Korea's output for the same period. In response to electricity shortages, North Korea enacted a renewable energy act in 2013, advocating for the use of solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources.