China Announces Plans to Expand Nuclear Power to 5% of Total Capacity

---

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--As part of a structural adjustment program, China's newly established State Energy Bureau will work to develop nuclear power in order to achieve organized and healthy development of the country's energy sector. China's energy structure has mainly relied on coal, and the restrictions in resources, environment and transportation could pose problems, said Zhang Guobao, Director of the State Energy Bureau.

The country's current installed nuclear power capacity of 9 million kilowatts (kW), or 1.3% of the total, is far below the world's average. Therefore, the country is working to expand its nuclear power capacity to at least 5%. China has been accelerating the development of nuclear power and has established the China National Nuclear Power Technology Company.

The country will also work to develop renewable energies. China is targeting the development of wind power as its second focus after nuclear power. In 2007, the country's total wind power capacity reached 6.05 million kW with 4.2 million kW under construction. With its current development plans, China's capacity of wind power is expected to reach 10 million kW this year and 20 million kW in 2010. The country is also developing its hydropower and expects to reach about 300 million kW in 2020.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is a marketing information service specializing in industrial process and energy related industries with products and services ranging from industry news, forecasting, plant and project databases, as well as multimedia advertising campaign assistance.