The Chinese publication China Knowledge, citing Zhang Guobao, director of the National Energy Administration, has reported that the country plans to start the construction of 80 GW of thermal power capacity this year as thermal power continues to play a major role in the national power supply. In the period from 2011 to 2015, China plans to build 260 to 270 GW of new thermal power capacity.
Zhang Guobao added that thse projects will be located mainly in the coal-rich western regions of China.
In the next five years, the country plans to start the construction of 140 GW of hydropower capacity. At present, China’s installed hydropower capacity is about 200 GW. In addition, it is planned to install 38 GW of nuclear power plant in the five year period. Currently, China’s nuclear power capacity under construction accounts for 40% of the world’s total.