‘Massive’ nuclear investment in UK eyed by Davey

China and other Far East countries are set to make “massive” investments in the UK’s nuclear programme, Energy Secretary Ed Davey said yesterday.

Mr Davey also said the Government was “extremely close” to striking a deal with France’s EDF Energy to build a £14bn nuclear plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset. “The Chinese along with the Koreans and the Japanese and other countries are very interested in the opportunity in Britain’s nuclear sector,” Mr Davey told BBC1’s The Andrew Marr Show.

“I think it is really possible we’ll see massive Chinese investment, not just in nuclear but across the board. And I think we’ll see massive Japanese investment and Korean investment.” Mr Davy added if a deal with EDF was struck he would “show it’s extremely good value for customers.”

He refused to comment on whether Chinese firms would take a stake in Hinkley Point.