China's top economic planning agency has revoked approvals for 13 small coal-fired power plants amid efforts to boost energy efficiency and reduce pollution, state media said on Sunday.

China has promised to cut emissions of major pollutants by 10 percent between 2006 and 2010, but last year the country failed to meet the annual target.

The National Development and Reform Commission said it had banned construction of the power plants in six provinces that had received approvals from either the central government or local governments.

The 13 plants had 25 power generating units with a total installed capacity of 2.44 gigawatts.

"The NDRC ordered construction to cease on projects already begun and already built facilities to be dismantled," Xinhua said.

China has been encouraging the construction of large power plants while closing small ones that consume more energy and discharge more pollutants.