China to launch major energy projects: premier

BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- China will kick off a number of major energy projects to ensure stable economic growth and restructure its energy layout, Premier Li Keqiang has said.

Li made the remarks at a meeting of the State Energy Commission held on Friday, according to a press release issued on Sunday.

China will embark on new nuclear power plants equipped with state-of-the-art safety measures on the eastern coast at a proper time, said Li.

The projects will also include construction of hydropower stations, wind and solar power stations and ultra-high-voltage transmission lines to send power from the west to the east.

China will open up the energy exploitation sector and encourage different kinds of investors to compete fairly in the sector.

To make energy greener, Li said China will try to boost the development of electric cars and upgrade coal burning power generators that fail to meet emission cut requirements.