The province, which is home to the country's largest economy, lacks the energy resources necessary to develop traditional power stations. Guangdong imports most of its coal and petroleum from other parts of the country or from abroad.

Construction of the second phase of Ling'ao Nuclear Power Station in Shenzhen started at the end of last year.

It was the country's only nuclear power station project between 2001 and 2005. Its two 1-million-kilowatt power generators will start operating in 2010 and 2011.

Construction of the first phase of the Yangjiang Nuclear Power Station will start early next year.

The time frame for the Taishan Nuclear Power Station has not been decided yet.

Both the Yangjiang and Taishan plants are located in West Guangdong.

Chen said the province had chosen 10 sites for new nuclear power stations, and the feasibility studies have been going smoothly.

Two projects, located in Zhaoqing and Yunfu, are expected to take priority among the 10, according to the Xinhua News Agency report.

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