The estimate comes as construction of proposed nuclear power plants is progressing faster than planned, a senior official said.

According to China's nuclear power development plan, the total nuclear power capacity in operation is to reach 40 million kilowatts by 2020, accounting for 4 percent of the country's power generating capacity, said Zhang Guobao, vice minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission.

Zhang is also a member of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body currently holding its annual full session in the Chinese capital, Xinhua reported.

At the end of 2007 the Chinese mainland had a total of 11 nuclear power-generating units in operation, with combined installed capacity of nearly 10 million kilowatts.

"It is necessary to increase the share of nuclear power and electricity based on renewal energy" while trying to reduce the dependence on coal for power generation, said Zhang.

There has been growing demand for building nuclear power plants in China, and the progress has been made in the localization of nuclear power-generating equipment, he said.