China planned to make nuclear power account for more than 5 percent of the country's power installed capacity by 2020, up from the previous goal of 4 percent, a senior energy official said on Friday.

The country would boost the development of the nuclear power industry by speeding up construction of nuclear power plants in the coastal areas and drawing up plans for the inland regions, said Zhang Guobao, director of the newly-established National Energy Bureau.

The development of nuclear power was a prominent part of the country's energy policy, more so in light of the world crude oil prices rising and global warming, according to Zhang.

He made the remarks at an agreement signing ceremony, where China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) agreed to buy 4 million-kw-class nuclear reactor pressure vessels from China First Heavy Industries.

According to the agreement, the four nuclear reactor pressure vessels would be used in CNNC's two nuclear power plants in eastern Zhejiang Province and southeastern Fujian Province.

To develop clean energy, the country has vowed to expand the installed capacity of nuclear power, making it account for 4 percent of the national total power installed capacity by 2020.

Currently, China has 11 nuclear generators with a combined installed capacity of 9.08 million kw, only 1.3 percent of the country's total.

(Xinhua News Agency August 2, 2008)