THE FIRM behind plans for a nuclear power station at Oldbury has welcomed the news that the construction of a new plant at Hinkley Point will be going ahead.

On Monday, France's EDF Energy reported it would lead a consortium, which includes Chinese investors, to build the £16 billion Hinkley Point C plant in Somerset.

The announcement was seen as promising by Horizon Nuclear Power, the company working on a similar project at Shepperdine and recently taken over by Japanese developer Hitachi.

Horizon chief operating officer, Alan Raymant, said: “This is important in sustaining momentum behind the UK nuclear programme. Nuclear is a key part of our energy mix, delivering affordable, sustainable, reliable energy and this progress will boost confidence all round.”

Regarding the Oldbury development, he added: “We’re progressing well in the development of designs, licensing and permissions activity, recruitment and supply chain development.

“We’re some way from our own price negotiations with Government, but when we get to that stage we are confident we’ll reach a deal that’s fair for bill payers and works for investors. “Horizon will be a large scale independent power producer with no customers or trading arm, and we are focusing on making sure the EMR process works for that model.”