State Grid Corp of China (SGCC), one of China's two state-owned power transmission companies, plans to more than double its investment to RMB 1.16 trillion (US$169.9 billion) in total for grid construction nationwide by 2010 in response to the central government's new policy to stimulate economic growth, sources reported.

The expansion plan is still subject to approval from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economy planner, according to the sources.

Previously, SGCC planned to add investment of approximately RMB 500 billion over the next two years, aiming in a bid to boost domestic demand, according to an official with SGCC.

Lu Jian, SGCC's assistant to general manager, said the company had already set aside RMB 12 billion in the fourth quarter for the development of urban and rural power supplies in the country's central and western regions.

Last Thursday, the State Council announced a RMB 100 billion package to bolster national economic development in the fourth quarter. SGCC has obtained 68.2% of the RMB 4 billion that was earmarked to prop up grid construction.