China's new energy power generation sees faster growth

BEIJING - China reported faster growth in new energy power generation in June, official data showed Tuesday.

"The growth of electricity generated by new energy accelerated markedly, while thermal and hydro power saw slower growth," said Yan Pengcheng, spokesperson for the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), at a press conference.

In June, nuclear power generation increased 19.3 percent year-on-year, compared with 15.1 percent in May, according to NDRC data.

Electricity generated by wind and solar rose 11.4 percent and 21.1 percent, respectively, compared with 6.7 percent and 14.8 percent in May.

Thermal and hydro power output climbed 6.3 percent and 3.7 percent, respectively, down by 4 percentage points and 3.2 percentage points from May, Yan told reporters.

China is promoting new energy to cope with pollution and boost growth quality.

Overall electricity output rose 6.7 percent year-on-year last month, while consumption went up 8 percent year-on-year, the NDRC data showed.

In the first half of the year, power generation increased 8.3 percent year-on-year, slower than the 8.5-percent growth in the first five months.