EDF to build four nuclear reactors

Energy giant EDF will build four nuclear reactors across the South-East of England and could put four more sites up for sale for others to develop.

The French power group yesterday bought up British Energy in a £12.5bn deal that is likely to spark a massive nuclear building programme.

EDF said it wanted to build two reactors at Sizewell in Suffolk and two at Hinkley Point in Somerset.

The firm will also have permission to sell land to rival companies such as E.On or its fellow company RWE, so they can build reactors on sites including Bradwell in Essex and Dungeness in Kent.

The building programme could cost £20bn and create thousands of construction jobs, reported the Evening Standard.