The National Bureau of Energy (NBE) finished safety checks of existing nuclear plants in May and will carry out similar inspections for plants under construction, the China Securities Journal reported June 26, citing a senior official.

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The deputy chief of NBE, Qian Zhimin, revealed June 26 at the second Global Think Tank Summit that until a safety plan for nuclear plants was released, consent for new projects would not be granted. In addition, NBE will adjust the medium-and long-term nuclear power development plan.

He also said he could not provide a specific timetable for the publication of the safety plan because it needed to be submitted for approval.

The completed safety check showed nuclear plants in China were quite sound, and no problems were found, according to industry insiders.

It is also expected that the power generation capacity in the medium- and long-term will be likely increased to more than 70 million kilowatts (kW), a target China sets for its nuclear power industry by 2020, insiders said.