BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- The installed capacity of hydro power projects for China's rural areas increased by six million kw last year, sources with the Ministry of Water Resources said on Sunday.

    This brought the total installed capacity of hydro power projects serving rural areas to 50 million kw, or approximately 37percent of installed capacity of all hydro power projects in the country.

    According to Tian Zhongxing, head of the ministry's hydro power department, development of hydro power projects for rural areas is conducive to utilizing water resources in a reasonable way and effectively improving living standards for farmers.

    Tian said in the coming few years, China will ensure that installed capacity of hydro power projects for rural areas increase by more than six million kw annually.

    It is reported water resources workable for small hydro power projects made up for 20 percent of China's total.

    Currently, 1,600-plus out of more than 2,000 counties nationwide have built small hydro power projects, and nearly 800 of them rely on power supply by such projects.