China will build a nuclear power plant on the Yangtze River -- the first on the famous river -- if government approves the project.

An organization that will prepare construction of the plant has been set up in Wuhu, a city in east China's Anhui Province.

Approval from the State Development and Reform Commission is needed before construction can begin, according to information from the Wuhu City government.

According to the sources, the China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Co. will have four nuclear power units and a total installed capacity of four million kw.

The plant will be located at Bamaoshan, about 60 km from downtown Wuhu. Two generating units will be installed during the first phase of construction.

46 billion yuan (US$ 5.75 billion) have been earmarked for the project.

A delegation from China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Co., led by company chairman Qian Zhimin, inspected the plant location early this month and concluded that the site is very suitable for a nuclear power plant.

A feasibility study on the project is underway.

(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2006)