The Chinese government Wednesday approved the outline for mid
and long-term development of nuclear power generation (2005-2020)
in a bid to boost clean energy production.
The outline was examined and approved at a State Council
executive meeting presided over by Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao.
The increase in nuclear power generation is aimed at helping to
meet the growing economic and social demand for electricity, the
meeting heard. Determined efforts were being made to establish
coordinated development taking into consideration the need for
energy, the economy and ecological protection.
The meeting stressed the principle of putting safety and quality
first in nuclear power station construction using independent
design and innovative techniques.
To meet the increasing demand for electricity the Chinese
government gives priority to the development of hydropower on an
environment-friendly basis and nuclear-power in an active
manner.
China's installed capacity of power generation reached 508.41
million kilowatts by the end of 2005, up 14.9 percent year on year,
of which nuclear power accounted for 1.35 percent.
(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2006)