Nuclear power remains one source of energy for China: report

Nuclear power will remain one source of energy for China as the country endeavors to reduce carbon emissions, the China Daily reported Friday.

In an effort to control greenhouse gas emissions, China will rely chiefly on saving energy, enhancing energy efficiency, developing renewable energies and developing nuclear power with safety as a precondition, the newspaper quoted Xie Zhenhua, vice-chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, as saying.

The country suspended approval of new nuclear projects following Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster in March.

Carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), a low carbon technology, can play a critical role in carbon emission reduction, Xie said at a Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum in Beijing

Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang said China will continue to increase investment in CCUS research and development through 2015.

China has budgeted more than 400 million yuan (62.7 million US dollars) for CCUS research and projects for 2011.

China aims to raise the proportion of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to 11.4 percent over the 2011-2015 period, compared with 8.3 percent now, according to the newspaper.