EDF sets aside extra £2.7bn to cover Hinkley Point construction costs

Energy company has made provision for outlay to increase to almost 21bn to ensure completion of nuclear reactor

EDF, the French utility group lined up to build twin nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point in Somerset, has said the cost of the project could be 2.7bn higher than previously expected, at nearly 21bn.

In a statement before its annual general meeting, the state-controlled energy company said its ownership commitment on the project could rise from 12bn to 13.8bn. Its Chinese partner, CGN, could be liable for an extra 900m, taking its commitment to 6.9bn.