Plans for to build a nuclear power station at Hinkley Point near Burnham-On-Sea appear to be back on track after the French Government promised to financially back firm EDF Energy.
French economy minister Emmanuel Macron has promised a bailout for the company this week.
During a visit to a nuclear power station in Civaux, midwestern France, he told journalists that the Government would “recapitalise” EDF if there was a need.
He added: “If you believe in nuclear, you cannot say that you will not participate in the biggest nuclear project in the world. Not doing Hinkley Point would be a mistake.”
It comes just days after EDF chairman Jean-Bernard Levy said the project could not go ahead without the intervention of the French Government.
EDF Energy will be giving evidence to the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee next Wednesday to give an update on the situation to ministers.
The new £18billion nuclear plant will provide electricity for five million homes and created more than 25,000 jobs in the region.
