THE firm hoping to build a third nuclear power station at Hinkley Point should find out within weeks the result of a major EU probe into the deal.

EDF Energy’s proposed £16 billion power plant at Hinkley Point has been on hold while awaiting the outcome of the European Commission’s investigation into whether the terms of the subsidy deal struck with the Government constituted illegal State aid.

The Commission says the consumer-funded subsidies that could total up to £17.6 billion risk giving the French energy firm excess profits and could throw off competition.

The finding of its investigation are expected to be released on or before November 1.

A spokesman for anti-nuclear protest group Stop Hinkley said: “The European Commission should read the writing on the wall and just say ‘No’ to subsidising this failed, dangerous, expensive technology.

“And it’s time for local authorities in Somerset to join the revolution and start looking at how it, too, can play a pivotal role in the development of low carbon energy projects by emulating work going on in the rest of the West Country rather than relying on an outmoded centralised utility like EDF Energy.”

A spokesperson for EDF told the County Gazette: “We hope to get EU approval by the end of the year. In the meantime, phase two site preparation works are still underway to prepare the ground.

“EDF is co-operating fully with the European Commission and UK Government as the investigation proceeds.”

EDF says more than 25,000 jobs will be created during the construction phase of Hinkley C, with a further 900 full-time jobs over its 60 years of operation.