Authorities in Shandong Province have confirmed that they will proceed with three new nuclear power plants, whilst Jilin Province is considering building their first. All four are expected to be in operation by 2010.

The three projects in the eastern province of Shandong are Haiyang Nuclear Power Station in Yantai City, and Rushan and Rongcheng stations in Weihai City, sources with the local Development and Reform Commission said yesterday.

The designs for all three are quite similar, with an annual capacity of 4 to 6 million kilowatts. An investment of 40-80 billion yuan (US$4.8-9.6 billion) will be needed for each.

The National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Science and Technology have approved preliminary feasibility reports for the Haiyang and Rushan plants, but all three projects are awaiting final approval from the central government.

Shandong has a total demand of 30 million kilowatts a year but can currently provide only half of the 70 million tons of coal needed to produce it, with the rest being brought in from other provinces. It is estimated that annual demand will reach 50 million kilowatts in 2010.

In the northeastern province of Jilin, local media reported China Electric Power Investment Corporation as saying that it plans to invest 40 billion yuan (US$4.8 billion) in a 4 million kilowatt nuclear power station near Baishan City.

"Up to now, the company has invested over 10 million yuan (US$1.2 million) in preliminary construction," a senior official from the city's Development and Reform Commission was quoted as saying by the Shenyang-based East Asia Economy and Trade News.

Jingyu County has been selected as the site for the plant because of its geological features and rich water resources.

The newspaper said the project would be the largest in the history of the province, but the construction schedule has not yet been revealed.

Jilin has a demand of 12 million kilowatts per year at present, and supply lags far behind.

(China Daily February 24, 2005)