BEIJING - China's nuclear power generation increased in 2018 as the country installed more reactor units, official data showed.

Altogether 294.4 billion kWh of nuclear power was generated last year, up 18.6 percent year-on-year, according to the China Electricity Council (CEC).

It accounted for 4.2 percent of the country's overall electricity generation, saving 90 million metric tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 280 million tons.

China's nuclear power units kept safe and stable operation in 2018, according to the CEC.

The country put into operation seven nuclear power units last year, with newly installed capacity reaching 8.84 million kilowatts, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said in a statement.

At present, 45 nuclear power units are in operation in the country, with a total installed capacity of 45.9 million kW, the third largest in the world, according to the NEA.

Another 11 units are under construction, with a combined installed capacity of 12.18 million kW.

China aims to lift its installed capacity of nuclear power units in operation and under construction to about 88 million kW by 2020.