China becomes world's largest energy producer

In the 60 years since the founding of New China, China's energy supply capacity has developed from weak to strong, and the country has become the world’s largest energy producer. This is according to Zhang Guobao, deputy chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and director of the National Energy Administration speaking at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on the morning of September 25.

Zhang said that in terms of energy supply, China has become the world's largest energy producer maintaining an energy self-sufficiency rate of over 90 percent, and safeguarding national energy security.

China energy structure has continuously improved since the early days of New China. Statistics show that China's total installed capacity of hydroelectric power has reached 172 million kW, ranking first in the world; wind power output has doubled year-on-year for three consecutive years, ranking fourth in the world; the total heat-collecting area of solar water heaters has exceeded 125 million square meters, ranking first in the world; 11 nuclear power reactors have been put into operation and 24 nuclear power generating units with a total installed capacity of 25.4 million kW has been approved and is under construction, which is the largest scale of nuclear power projects under construction in the world.

Zhang added that in the 30 years since reform and opening-up, a scientific and rational energy and resource utilization system is gradually taking shape with a markedly enhanced energy sustainable development capacity.