Helsinki  - A reactor designed by French group Areva or Japan's Toshiba was the favourite choice for a Finnish energy group that is investigating the possibilities of building a new nuclear power plant, energy group Fennovoima said Tuesday.

Finland currently operates four reactors and is building a fifth.

Fennovoima said it has "reviewed a number of light water reactor designs currently on the market for a detailed feasibility study."

The capacity that Fennovoima has in mind is 1,500-to 2,500- megawatts, which could be produced by either one large reactor or two medium-sized reactors.

Toshiba has built three 1,600-megawatt reactors of the advanced boiling water reactor type (ABWR), and one is under construction in Japan, Fennovoima said.

Areva had two types that were being studied, one was a 1,700- megawatt advanced pressurized water reactor, the other was a 1,250- megawatt advanced boiling water reactor.

Tests were to be conducted with Germany's EON that is a shareholder and technology partner.

No estimates for the costs were offered. The Finnish government and parliament have yet to approve the plans. Construction of the power plant is planned to start in 2012.

In all three groups are investigating the possibilities of building more reactors in the Nordic country. (dpa)