Britain says 'good progress' being made on nuclear plant

The British government said Thursday that "good progress" was being made on a vast project to construct the nation's first nuclear power plant in decades.

In October, French energy giant EDF signed a historic deal with China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) to build a new plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset, southwest England, with construction costs totalling 18 billion pounds ($25.8 billion, 23.6 million euros).

British Prime Minister David Cameron had announced the gigantic nuclear project to coincide with Chinese President Xi Jinping's business-themed state visit to Britain in October.

"Good progress continues to be made so that Hinkley can provide clean, affordable and secure energy that hardworking families and businesses can rely on now and in the future," said a spokesperson for the government's Department of Energy and Climate Change.

EDF agreed in October to construct two European Pressurised Reactors (EPRs), a third-generation nuclear reactor design, at the Hinkley Point C plant.

However on Wednesday, the EDF board took no final investment decision on whether to go ahead with the plan, amid media speculation that the project could be delayed.

Cameron's spokesman said Thursday that a further announcement on Hinkley Point was expected "shortly" and noted that discussions "are still ongoing".