Construction is expected to start in late 2007 and the first phase of the project will be completed in 2013, when two 1,000-megawatt generating units will start operating, the China Daily reported.

"The site in Lufeng has enough fresh water supplies and enjoys advanced land and water transportation facilities," Yu Jiechun, an executive from Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding, was quoted as saying.

When preparations for the fourth nuclear plant started two years ago, four possible sites in Guangdong's eastern coastal area were initially put forward.

Guangdong already has two nuclear plants in operation, at Daya Bay and Ling'ao. Construction of a third plant at Yangjiang, in the west of the province, will begin next year.

China plans to build 40 nuclear reactors within the next 15 years to achieve a new increased target for generating capacity, state media reported recently.

The goal is to boost combined capacity from the current 8,700 megawatts to 40,000 megawatts by the year 2020.

If the plans are implemented, the proportion of electricity generated by nuclear power is expected to rise from the current 2.4 percent to four percent in 15 years' time.

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