BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese official said Thursday that China's plan to increase its nuclear power installed capacity to 40 gigawatts by 2020 may be difficult to meet but the target has not changed.

    Zhang Guobao, vice minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said the target will require China to build some 32 nuclear power units, each capable of generating at least one gigawatt, over the next 15 years.

    China has nine nuclear generators in commercial operation with a total capacity of about seven gigawatts. The potential for growth is attracting interest from international firms such as U.S.-based Westing house, France's Areva and Russia's AtomStroy Export (ASE).

    Zhang said not all nuclear power plants built over the next 15 years will have to adopt third generation technology. Enditem