CHONGQING - Geothermal power is expected to provide 1.7 percent of China's total energy in 2015, as the country speeds up its exploration of renewable and clean-power sources, an official with the Ministry of Land and Resources said on Friday.

Guan Fengjun, director of the ministry's department of geological environment, made the comment on Friday, International Mother Earth Day - which this year the ministry gave the motto "cherishing the earth's natural resources and transforming our economic growth pattern".

Using geothermal power for heating and generating electricity is a significant part of China's low-carbon development strategy, Guan said.