Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang has urged more efforts to develop new energy to ensure the country's energy security and boost economy.

Li made the remark on Sunday at the opening construction ceremony of the first-phase project of the Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, placing emphasis on further developing nuclear power.

He underscored innovation as the key to nuclear power development, calling for enterprises to adopt advanced technology and enhance self-innovation.

He said it was inevitable that China would need to improve energy structure and enhance energy conservation and emission cuts when resources and environment issues took their toll on economic development.

The new energy sector would be the new engine of economic growth and should be developed to tackle the financial crisis, he said, urging development of renewable energy sources and clean energy to ensure energy security. "That will also help protect environment and improve people's livelihood," said Li.

He also urged the development of wind power, solar power and biomass energy and the use of new energy autos, and energy-efficient products.

The Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant will be constructed in three phases, with an investment of more than 40 billion yuan (US$5.85 billion) injected in the first phase. The first generating unit will be finished in 2013.

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2009)