PYONGYANG, October 10 (Itar-Tass) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during a visit to a Pyongyang-based enterprise producing solar energy equipment stressed the importance of the use of renewable energy sources. The North’s Official Korean Central News Agency reported that the DPRK leader familiarised himself with the plant’s various facilities, noting that “the mass production of solar heating systems the installation of which in public buildings and dwelling houses will solve the problem of heating and will allow the population to use hot water throughout the year, acquires special importance.”
Kim Jong Il also praised the contribution of the collective of the enterprise to the construction of energy-efficient houses in the People’s Republic “according to the latest scientific and technological achievements.”
On the eve of the holiday - the 66th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) that is marked in the country on Monday, the DPRK supreme leader, accompanied by a large group of party and state leaders also visited the Central Tree Nursery where an area of 40 hectares, KCNA reported, different plants are grown based on the modern scientific and industrial achievements. Kim Jong Il urged personnel of research centres to intensify the work on the cultivation of valuable species of trees with taking into account the country's climate conditions.
KCNA reported that after being briefed on the nursery before a large map showing its panoramic view, he went round seedling greenhouses and fields to acquaint himself with its construction. Feasting his eyes on the modern greenhouses and nurseries where saplings are growing well on diverse phases, he expressed great satisfaction over the fact that the production of saplings has been successfully put on an industrial, scientific and intensive basis.
He said that the production of saplings in the four hectare open-air cultivation ground by an industrial method, equivalent to the production of saplings in more than 40 hectares in the past, is a great innovation in the light of the actual conditions of the country which has limited area of cultivated land and an advantageous method to be widely generalized. Pleased to watch an efficient moulding machine for humus-cake seedlings made by workers of the Jangjagang Machine Tool Factory, he said the workers of the DPRK are capable of manufacturing everything if they are determined to do. Learning that the seeds of pine tree personally sent by him to the nursery grew to be tall trees and form a forest of pine trees laden with pinecones, he praised the workers of the nursery for successfully cultivating them with good care.
According to KCNA, Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, provided field guidance to the newly built Solar Equipment Centre. The centre built in a picturesque place in Mangyongdae area is a modern base specialising in the development, production and supply of solar energy equipment. Going round the solar water heater production base ready to go operational and the main building and other places of the centre, he learned about its construction, technical specifications of equipment and prospect of their production.
Watching solar water heaters produced on a trial basis, he said that their mechanism is simple and very high in heat-accumulating capacity. He noted with pleasure if these heaters are installed in dwelling houses and public buildings, this will make it possible to solve the issue of heating buildings and help people use hot water all the year round, the agency reported.
Going round inside and outside of the main building constructed in such a way as to ensure heating, lighting and the supply of industrial water by use of solar water heater, wind power generator and rainwater-collecting tank, he highly appreciated the exceptional creative spirit displayed by officials and employees of the centre in the successful construction of the energy-saving building on the basis of latest science and technology.
He set forth tasks to be carried out by the centre. He called on the centre to actively develop and use renewable energy such as solar heat. What is important is to conduct brisk activities to mass-produce solar water heaters and supply them on the basis of the existing production foundations, he added, according to KCNA.
He noted that in order to bring about a fresh turn in the development, production and supply of solar energy equipment it is necessary to firmly establish Juche in scientific research, introduce latest science and technology and closely combine research with production. He underlined the need for the relevant units to provide ample conditions for the production and supply of solar water heaters and pay deep attention to the living of researchers and employees.
He was accompanied by Jang Song Thaek, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee (CC) and vice-chairman of the NDC, Pak To Chun, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the CC, the WPK, and Ju Kyu Chang, alternate member of the Political Bureau and department director of the CC, the WPK.