Workers examine an electric power transmission line of a nuclear power plant in east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 29, 2015. The 675-kilometer transmission line, a part of the 500-KV power supply project of the Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant, has 12 kilometers crossing sea water. [Photo: Xinhua]
Three new clean energy power plants have been approved at an executive meeting of China's Cabinent on Thursday.
The Wudongde hydro-power plant located on Jinshajiang River in Sichuan province will be China's third plant that can generate ten million kilowatts of electricity per day.
Professor Zhao Xijun from Renmin University said that such large clean energy projects can increase local revenue, attract more investment in related industries and offer more jobs.
"At present, China's GDP growth rate is slowing down, so it is important to find some way to give fresh growth impetus. The approval of the clean energy power plants by the State Council can drive the current economy and play an active role in maintaining stable growth."
The other two clean energy projects are the second stage of Hongsha nuclear power plant in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the extension of Tianwan nuclear power plant in Jiangsu province.
The Hongsha nuclear power plant features China's self-developed technology termed Hualong One.
Zhao pointed out the new nuclear power plants will also help upgrade energy structures and prevent pollution.
"Green development is crucial in the process of economic growth, including infrastructure construction. The power plants driven by water and nuclear exert less impact on the environment compared to those driven by coal and oil burning. The change will optimize current energy structures and reduce harm to the environment."
The meeting also emphasized the quality and security issues of nuclear power plant construction.
Currently, 66 percent of China's energy comes from coal, 35 percentage points higher than the world average.
The country is planning to build six to eight nuclear power plants annually during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, from 2016 to 2020.
