A spokesman for the company said that the workforce currently carrying out preparatory work at the Hinkley site will fall from 650 to around 250 until EDF Energy and government can agree on the funding details which will enable a final investment decision.
The UK’s first new nuclear project in a generation was expected to secure the final go ahead in March this year, but EDF said in February that outstanding issues to be negotiated mean that a decision will only be possible after the May general election.
In the meantime, preparatory work at the site is reaching its conclusion and the costlier construction phase will be held off until the company finalises its investment agreement.
“The next phase of work on site and in the associated developments will require a substantial increase in spending levels, and will begin as soon as the final investment decision has been made,” a company spokesman said.
The result of the election is not expected to have any bearing on the ongoing talks as all major political parties have publicly supported the project.
“In the meantime work to ensure the project’s readiness will continue, including project planning, engineering design and commercial supply chain activities,” the spokesman said.