State media in China say Chinese scientists have developed a technology for reprocessing nuclear fuel that could radically increase the efficiency of existing nuclear-fuel reserves.
China Central Television said the technology, developed after 24 years of research, will facilitate the country to reuse irradiated fuel.
The report said the technology would help extend uranium reserves to 3,000 years, up from current estimates of 50 to 70 years.
China's total 2009 consumption, with energy sources ranging from oil and coal to wind and solar power, was equal to 2.265 billion tons of oil, compared with 2.169 billion tons used by the US, the IEA said.
The consumption boom reflects China's transformation from a nation of survival farmers to one of workers increasingly trading bicycles for cars and buying air conditioners and other energy-hungry home electronics.
