Hinkley Point nuclear plant building costs rise by up to £2.9bn

EDF Energy blames ground conditions for rise but says energy bills will not go up

The cost of building the UK's first new nuclear power plant in a generation has risen by up to 2.9bn and the total bill could be more than 22bn.

EDF Energy said the construction cost for Hinkley Point C in Somerset had climbed by between 1.9bn to 2.9bn from the company's last estimates and is running the risk of further delays.