The size of the investment will set a precedent for spending on power-generation, surpassing outlays on traditional coal-fired and hydroelectric power plants, Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday.

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During the 11th Five-year Plan (2006-10), Guangdong will focus on developing the second phase of the Ling'ao Nuclear Power Station, the first phase of Yangjiang Nuclear Power Station and the first phase of Taishan Nuclear Power Station, said Chen Shanru, director of the Development and Reform Commission of Guangdong Province.

By 2020, the installed capacity of all nuclear power stations in Guangdong is expected to reach 24 million kilowatts, accounting for 60 per cent of the country's total nuclear power output.

Of the country's current installed capacity of 8.7 million kilowatts, nearly 4 million kilowatts are generated in Guangdong.

The project is part of a larger effort to restructure the province's power-supply. The project's goal is to develop more clean energy to fuel Guangdong's fast-growing economy, Chen was quoted as saying.

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