EDF chief executive Jean-Bernard Levy says he expects a final investment decision to be taken this year

EDF's Hinkley Point C

A final investment decision on Hinkley Point C will be taken “this year” according to EDF chief executive Jean Bernard-Levy.

Speaking at a conference in Brussels yesterday, Levy told the audience he expects a decision this year on the £18bn nuclear power plant in Somerset.

He said: “We are working actively today with our Chinese partners to complete the discussion that we are having and announce a final investment decision very soon.”

When asked whether “very soon” meant this year, he replied: “If in my thinking very soon did not mean this year, I would be disingenuous.”

Levy did not confirm whether a decision would be made before or after the EU referendum on 23 June.

He previously insisted a potential Brexit would not have an impact on the project, and said main construction work was still expected to start in 2019.

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