UPDATE 1-Turkish coal power privatisation bill sent to PM

(Adds quotes, details, background)

ANKARA, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Turkey's energy ministry has sent a draft law on the privatisation of coal-fired power stations to the prime minister's office, the minister said on Tuesday, announcing a key stage in the sale process.

Turkey's privisation programme has gathered pace sharply in recent years, backed by an International Monetary Fund loan accord, drawing in large amounts of foreign investment that has helped to modernise local industry.

But this process has so far has not extended to the country's coal-fired power stations.

"We have prepared a draft law on the privatisation of coal-fired power stations and forwarded it to the prime minister's office," Energy Minister Hilmi Guler told a news conference.

"Once the necessary work has been completed there, the bill will be sent to parliament," he said, without giving further details on the sell-off plans.

Separately, Guler said the technology used in planned nuclear power stations in Turkey would be tried and tested, but it would not be old technology.

Industry sources said his remarks suggested neither Canada or France would win the business, as Canada used old technology and France was developing technology that had not been tried and tested.

Speaking at the same meeting, Turkish Atomic Energy Authority Chairman Okay Cakiroglu said land in the Mersin Akkuyu region was ready for the construction of a nuclear plant.