China's nuclear power installed capacity is expected to top 70 Gigawatts (GW) by 2020, 75 percent higher than the government's target, according to estimate by scientists.

The country currently has 11 reactors, with a total nuclear power installed capacity of 9.08 GW, Pan Ziqiang, director of Science and Technology Committee of China National Nuclear Corporation, told participants to an international summit on clean energy held Monday.

He said estimates of China's nuclear power installed capacity varied from 70 GW by 2020, 200 GW by 2030, to 400 GW by 2050.

"These are only estimates by scientists, not national plans," said Pan.

According to the country's long and mid-term development plan on nuclear power plants, nuclear power installed capacity will reach 40 million kw (40 GW) by 2020 and will generate 260 billion to 280 billion kilowatt hours of electricity each year, accounting for 4 to 6 percent of the country's total. The installed capacity of nuclear power projects under construction will be 18 GW by 2020.

Zhang Guobao, vice minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic planner, said last month promoting nuclear power development was an option of the country in restructuring its energy structure, against the backdrop of global concern on greenhouse gas reduction. The country was considering whether to revise the original target, Zhang said.

Pan also said China has enough uranium for 70 GW of nuclear power plants.

The two-day summit was jointly held by China Chamber of International Commerce and the Financial Times. More than 300 government officials, experts and entrepreneurs from home and abroad attended the summit.

(Xinhua News Agency November 3, 2009)