EDF's Anglesey nuclear plant to be fast-tracked

EDF's plan to build a £3bn new nuclear plant at Wylfa in Anglesey could be fast-tracked following the rejection of its bid for British Energy nuclear sites last week.

The French energy giant wants to build around four nuclear plants in the UK. It had hoped to locate these on British Energy sites. But with the collapse of negotiations last week the firm is expected to focus on its bid to build a new plant in Wylfa in Anglesey, North Wales.

Work on site could begin as early as 2013, creating 1,600 construction jobs.

EDF is one of three front runners bidding to develop the Wylfa site along with US firm Energy Solutions. Local MP Albert Owen told CJ: "Wylfa has all the right ingredients. It has the infrastructure and, since the existing plant is still operating, it already has skilled people on site and the support of local people."

An EDF spokesman said: "We recently acquired land next to the Wylfa site."