China has approved several new hydropower projects as part of its effort to drive the clean energy sector.

The National Development and Reform Commission said on November 29 that it had approved the construction of the 2.6-gigwatt (gw) Changheba hydropower project in Sichuan Province.

It had also approved the 2.4-gw Guan'di hydropower station and the 600-megawatt Tongzilin hydropower project, both in Sichuan.

The country's total hydropower capacity reached 200 gw in August and top energy official Zhang Guobao said capacity had to reach 380 gw by 2020 if the country was to meet its clean energy and emissions targets.