Hinkley Point C could be delayed to 2031 and cost up to £35bn, says EDF

As nuclear plant is hit by further delay, real cost will be far higher after inflation is included, as project uses 2015 prices

The owner of Hinkley Point C has blamed inflation, Covid and Brexit as it announced the nuclear power plant project could be delayed by a further four years, and cost £2.3bn more.

The plant in Somerset, which has been under construction since 2016, is now expected to be finished by 2031 and cost up to £35bn, France’s EDF said. However, the cost will be far higher once inflation is taken into account, because EDF is using 2015 prices.