ANKARA, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Turkish President Abdullah Gul has approved a law allowing construction of the country's first nuclear power plants, his office said on Tuesday.

The law, vetoed by Gul's predecessor Ahmet Necdet Sezer, is intended to help avert a serious energy shortfall in the fast-growing emerging economy.

Oil importer Turkey aims to build three nuclear plants with a total capacity of 5,000 megawatts. It had initially intended the first plant to come on line by 2012 but legislative delays are seen pushing that target back.

According to the new law, approved by parliament on Nov. 9, qualifications for companies bidding to build and run the power plants will be published within a month.

The Energy Ministry will determine the final details of the tender and the specifics of the plants.

Underlining Turkey's burgeoning demand for energy, the government earlier on Tuesday signed a $1 billion deal with Iran for the upgrading of existing power transmission lines and construction of a fresh line between the two nations.

The United States has urged its allies, including NATO member Turkey, to cut business ties with Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme. Western countries say Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons. Tehran says its programme is purely peaceful.

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