China's Nuclear Power Capacity to Hit 80 mln KWh in 2020

BEIJING, Mar. 9 -- China aims to have between 50 million and 80 million kilowatt hours of total installed capacity in the nuclear power industry in 2020, said Wang Yumin, vice president of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, at the 11th National People's Congress on Mar. 7.

Wang added that the nuclear-related departments should not underestimate the importance of a steady supply of uranium, which is crucial for energy projects of this kind.

According to statistics released by China Electricity Council, the country had 11 nuclear units with 9.08 million kWh of installed capacity as of the end of last year. Nuclear units accounted for 1.04% of China's total installed capacity.

The country's total generating capacity increased 1.13% year on year to 70 billion kWh last year, accounting for 1.95% of China's total generating capacity.

The Chinese government last year agreed to kick off construction on three nuclear projects: two 1.25-million kW units in Zhejiang Province, two 1.25-million kW units in Shandong Province and two 1.75-million kW units in Guangdong Province, sources reported.