China had the most nuclear power facilities under construction among world powers in 2009. Nuclear power, as well as other alternative energies, is developing rapidly in China due to the country's commitment to a low-carbon economy.

According to a Xinhua News Agency report, China increased construction of its nuclear power stations in 2009. By the end of last year, 20 nuclear power generating sets had started construction with an aggregate capacity of 21,920 megawatts, the largest new capacity in the world. The projects required 260 billion yuan ($38 billion) in direct investment.

Zhang Guobao, head of the National Energy Bureau, said at the national energy work conference held last December that the nuclear power installation capacity would reach 75,000 megawatts in 2020 from the current level of less than 10,000 megawatts. By 2020, nuclear power will generate 5 percent of all electricity. Nuclear power currently generates 2 percent of China's electricity needs.

Before the Chinese delegation headed to the Copenhagen Climate Conference in December 2009, Premier Wen Jiabao vowed to cut carbon dioxide emissions per GDP unit by 40-45 percent in 2020 from 2005 levels. "To achieve this goal, we have reached a consensus to accelerate the construction of nuclear power stations," said Yu Jianfeng, Vice President of China National Nuclear Corp.