Chancellor George Osborne says he believes the French government, which owns the energy firm EDF, is committed to building a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point near Burnham-On-Sea.
He was responding to MPs’ questions after reports that the project could be further delayed due to financial and technical concerns.
“We’re working with the French government and all the signs are they are commited to the project,” he said.
“I think this is a very good example of how the United Kingdom working with France and attracting investment from Asia, is getting a new generation of nuclear power underway- something that was promised for 20 years or more but hasn’t happened. It’s now going to take place in Somerset.”
On Monday the Financial Times reported that the final approval for the long-awaited Hinkley Point nuclear reactor in Somerset could be delayed by up to a year.
The French energy firm EDF has yet to make a final announcement on whether it will go ahead with the £18billion project, despite securing investment from China last year.
The decision could now be made in 2017, with reports that EDF are looking for more investors to help take on the debt.
Meanwhile, we reported here that the entrepreneur behind plans for a barrage across the Severn Estuary has called on the government to take a fresh look at his proposals due to the Hinkley Point delays.
