Hinkley Point nuclear power station plans 'set to get go-ahead'

The station is expected to generate seven per cent of the UK's energy over the next 60 years

Artists impression of Hinkley Point (PA)

Energy giant EDF is poised to approve the £18bn project to build the planned nuclear power station at Hinkley Point

The French firm is expected to sign-off the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK for a generation at its board meeting in Paris on Thursday.

Union leaders will welcome the much-delayed decision, saying workers were "raring to go" - with 25,000 jobs set to be created.

But environmental groups such as Greenpeace have criticised the project in the past and called for investment in home grown renewable energy like offshore wind instead.

Fresh criticism is also expected on the Government's promise to pay EDF £92.50 for each megawatt hour of energy it generates.

Hinkley Point C (HPC) will provide seven per cent of the UK's electricity over its estimated lifetime of 60 years and is scheduled to begin generating power in 2025, several years later than planned.

The main reason for the delay has been worries over the financing of the project by EDF, which is 85% owned by the French government, with French trade unions warning it could ruin the company's finances.

China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) is set to be confirmed as taking a 33.5 per cent stake in the project.

Ahead of the decision, EDF said: "HPC is a unique asset for French industry as it would benefit the whole of the nuclear industry and support employment in major companies and smaller enterprises in the sector.

"This project has been the subject since 2013 of a significant sharing of information with employees and their representatives, illustrating the commitment of the company to quality social dialogue."

Unite national officer for energy Kevin Coyne said: "We urge the EDF board to give the financial go-ahead on a project which will generate thousands of decent skilled jobs and help meet the energy needs of the UK for generations to come.

"The cost of not doing so could result in the lights going out in Britain and the West Country missing out on the much needed economic boost which this major infrastructure project would bring."

The project was brainchild of former Chancellor George Osborne as part of a bid to bring more jobs to the UK and to shore up its energy self-sufficiency as oil and gas deposits in the North Sea begin to run out.

Additional reporting by PA