China to Invest RMB 660 bln in Power Industry in 2010

BEIJING, Mar. 31 -- China is estimated to invest RMB 660 billion in the electricity industry in 2010, according to the China Electricity Council.

Around RMB 330 billion will be invested in power generation facilities, and the remaining will be invested in the development of power grid, said the council.

China will continue to keep the investment proportion of thermal power to the total electricity output below 50% and to increase the proportion of hydroelectricity and nuclear power investments.

Official statistics showed that the newly installed capacity of electrical power plants in China will hit 85 million kW in 2010, including 15 million kW of hydropower, 13 million kW for wind power and 1.08 million kW for nuclear power.

As of the end of 2009, Chinese power plants' installed capacity amounted to 874 million kW, up 10.23% year on year.