China's rural hydropower capacity is expected to hit 74 million kilowatts by 2015, the country's water resources minister, Chen Lei said.

The newly-installed capacity of rural hydropower in China will reach 15 million kilowatts in the next five years, Chen said while attending a rural hydropower construction conference held in Chongqing.

Chen said rural hydropower would play a more important role in improving the energy structure, developing a low-carbon economy and securing the well-being of the people.

Rural hydropower refers to small hydropower stations with installed capacity of 50,000 kilowatts or less.

According to Tian Zhongxing, chief of the department of water and power under the Water Resources Ministry, rural hydropower does not require large waterways and the relocation of residents, making it convenient and low-impact.

Right now, small hydropower projects supply electricity to 300 million people who had previously lived without electricity, said Tian.

Source: Xinhua