Private capital will be encouraged in new coastal nuclear power projects, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced in a press conference on Thursday.

China will launch additional nuclear power projects under the premise of ensuring safety. Social capital, especially that held in private hands, will be welcomed for such initiatives, alongside others in the power grid and oil-gas industries, reported Beijing Times.

Sound development of nuclear power should be promoted by optimizing capital structure and management, said Liu Baohua, head of the Department of Nuclear Power, National Energy Administration (NEA).

As long as a project meets national nuclear safety regulations, government, social and private capital are all welcome across many countries, Liu added.

Most established nuclear power stations depend on state-owned capital. In future, capital composition in nuclear power development will be more diversified.

Currently, 21 nuclear power units operate in China with an installed capability of 19.02 million kilowatts. Twenty-seven additional nuclear power units with an installed capability of 29.53 million kilowatts are currently under construction.