The construction would cost an estimated 1.3 billion euros, the source said, adding that "expanding the Tianwan station on Russian know-how will mean more Russian fuel supplies, services and such that would cost billions more."

The first of the two light-water reactor power units Russia has built at Tianwan in eastern China was commissioned in June 2007 and the second in September 2007.

China plans a big increase in the number of its nuclear power stations partly due to concerns about global warming but also to reduce its dependence on coal.

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