UK in talks with EDF over nuclear plant construction

Britain’s government is in talks with French firm EDF Energy over construction of a 20 billion-pound ($26.8 billion) nuclear power plant in eastern England.

Officials said Monday that negotiations are taking place over Sizewell C site in Suffolk, which could generate 3.2 gigawatts of electricity — eugh to provide 7% of country’s energy demands.

Any deal would need to be approved on areas such as value for money and affordability, and Business Secretary Alok Sharma said talks with EDF are t a “green light” for construction to begin.

“What we will be doing is looking to see wher we can reach an investment decision in this Parliament on that particular project,” he told BBC. “We will only do so if this delivers value for money for taxpayers and consumers.”

EDF says its eight existing nuclear power stations in U.K. generate around a fifth of country's electricity.

statement confirming talks came as government outlined its plans to cut emissions and expand clean energy. Officials say that, in total, plans will support 220,000 jobs in next dece.

“Today’s plan establishes a decisive and permanent shift away from our dependence on fossil fuels, towards cleaner energy sources that will put our country at forefront of global green industrial revolution,” Sharma said.

document outlines plans to develop offshore wind turbines, accelerate rollout of electric vehicle charging points, improve energy efficiency in homes and move away from fossil fuel boilers.