China will launch a number of major projects to restructure its energy layout and achieve a greener development with cleaner energy.

China will push forward reform in energy production and consumption, and make energy use greener, said Premier Li Keqiang at the first meeting of the incumbent National Energy Commission on Friday, according to a press release issued on Sunday.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presides over a meeting of the State Energy Commission in Beijing, capital of China, April 18, 2014. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) 

China will embark on new nuclear power plants equipped with state-of-the-art safety measures on the eastern coast at a proper time, said Li.

Other projects will mainly include construction of hydropower stations, wind and solar power stations and ultra-high-voltage transmission lines to send power from the west to the east.

China saw rapid nuclear power growth in recent years, but became cautious about the approval of new nuke programs after Japan's Fukushima nuclear fallout in 2011.

"These energy projects can ensure stable economic growth and increase China's capability to safeguard energy security," said Li, adding that they can help adjust the country's energy structure as well.

To make energy greener, Li said China will try to boost the development of electric cars and upgrade coal burning power generators that fail to meet emission cut requirements.

"China will wage a war against smog weather and step up ecological protection measures by further saving energy and cutting emissions," said Li.

To diversify energy sources, China will work on the development of unconventional oil and gas, including shale gas, shale oil, coalbed methane and tight gas.

Chinese energy giants have long been eyeing the unconventional oil and gas and have made successful drilling mainly in southwest China.

In addition, the country will open up energy exploitation and encourage different kinds of investors to compete fairly in the sector.

China's energy sector was largely dominated by state-owned enterprises (SOEs), especially in exploration.

Sinopec, one of China's three oil giants, proposed in February to open up its marketing arm to social and private investors, marking a major step for an SOE to move toward mixed-ownership in the energy sector.

At the meeting, Li also said China will work to export advanced energy technology and equipments to overseas markets.

China is one of the world's largest energy consumers and a considerable part of its energy demands relies on imports.

Headed by Li, the incumbent National Energy Commission, including more than ten related authorities, aims to step up strategic policy-making and coordination on major energy issues.

Premier announces start of China's energy projects

China will kick off a number of major energy projects to ensure stable economic growth and restructure its energy layout, Premier Li Keqiang said.

Li made the remarks at a meeting of the State Energy Commission, according to a press release issued on Sunday.

China will embark on new nuclear power plants equipped with state-of-the-art safety measures on the eastern coast at the proper time, said Li.

The projects will also include construction of hydroelectric power stations, wind and solar power stations plus ultra-high voltage transmission lines to send power from the west to the east.

China will open up the energy sector and encourage different kinds of investors to compete fairly in the sector.

To make energy greener, Li said China will try to upgrade coal burning power generators that fail to meet emission cut requirements.

Nuclear plants to get the nod

Major projects to ensure power supply in coastal areas, boost economic growth 

China is quickening its approvals for nuclear energy and will launch projects in coastal areas to ensure energy security and economic growth, according to the State Energy Commission.

In a statement released on Sunday, the commission said it discussed strategic problems in the development of the energy resources industry as well as some major projects.

The launch of new projects will resume at the proper time and will adopt the highest international safety standards, according to the commission, which met on Friday.

The latest approvals of nuclear plants and other energy projects are part of the government's plan to push economic growth with minimal measures.

As the fastest-growing atomic energy nation, China will launch another 800 gigawatts of capacity for nuclear power this year, according to the National Energy Administration.

That is in stark contrast to the two reactors with 221 gigawatts of capacity approved in 2013.

Even so, experts argue that the country's reliance on nuclear power is still small. Its 20 reactors in operation contributed only 1.2 percent of the country's energy use in 2013, much lower than the world's average of 9.8 percent.

Lin Boqiang, director of the Xiamen-based China Center for Energy Economic Research, said the central government has sent a clear signal that it is hastening the approval process of nuclear plants, which can increase clean power generation.

Considering that wind and solar power still account for a small percentage of the country's power generation, nuclear power is the most effective choice for China, said Lin.

At Friday's meeting, the commission also announced its intention to start other energy projects including "reasonable" hydropower projects, if environmental protection and resident resettlement can be ensured.

Ultrahigh-voltage power transmission lines were also included in the plan this year. After completion, this technology - which refers to 1,000-volt A/C transmission or 800-volt D/C transmission - can transmit a large capacity of power from western provinces to energy-consuming areas in the east.

Zhang Zhengling, deputy director of the State Grid's development and planning department, has said the lines are a way to optimize the distribution system, increase the efficient use of clean energy and improve the eco-environment in central and eastern China.

As of January, China had completed the construction of five ultrahigh-voltage transmission lines. Two more had been submitted for approval and another six were in the works.

The measure is also considered effective for combating smog in major cities as it allows long-distance transmission of electricity instead of coal.

Lin from the energy research center said China's energy reform is focused on sustainable development that can ease environmental problems and improve air quality.

"That will lead to the reform of clean energy development and reduce the percentage of coal in the primary energy consumption mix," he said.

"Coal consumption will not decrease in China because of its huge consumption base, but its share in the total energy consumption is reducing year by year," Lin said.