Construction of the second phase of the Sanmen nuclear power plant, China's first third-generation nuclear project, is expected to start at the end of 2011.

The second phase consists of two 1,250 mW reactors, which are expected to use the AP1000 technology from the US-based Westinghouse, said Gu Jun, president of Sanmen Nuclear Power Co Ltd under China National Nuclear Corp.

The country's top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), has approved the preliminary work of the phase II, said Gu.