China's Hubei eyes more nuclear power projects - media

Published: 06 Apr 2009 18:49:43 PST

BEIJING, April 7 - Central China's Hubei province is considering building three nuclear power plants on top of one expected to start construction soon, Xinhua news agency reported, hoping to gain from Beijing's big push for clean energy.

China is considering installing 60-75 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power reactors by 2020, up from its previous plan of 40 GW. The country now has less than 10 GW of operating nuclear reactors.

Hubei plans three nuclear stations for Xishui and Yangxin counties and Zhongxiang city, Xinhua said, citing Zhen Jianqiao, deputy director of the Hubei Provincial Development and Reform Commission.

"We have submitted an application to the National Development and Reform Commission for the Xishui project," Zhen said.

Despite being rich in hydropower, Hubei has to ship in coal from other provinces to meet its rising power needs.

Authorities in Xianning have relocated residents from land designated for Hubei's first, 4-GW nuclear power plant, and have completed road construction, Zhen was quoted as saying.

"An environment assessment report has also been finished and is being reviewed by the authorities," he said.

China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group , one of China's two leading nuclear power developers, and the Hubei provincial government agreed in March last year to build the plant.