EDF Boss says new nuclear power plants need government support

UK boss of EDF Energy, told the Financial Times that the new generation of nuclear power stations will not be built unless there is considerable financial support from the Government.

Vincent de Rivaz, EDFs UK chief executive is calling for a “level playing field”, saying that to give wind farms subsidies and not nuclear isn't correct, he’s also said that without subsidies, maybe he won’t invest at all in the UK come 2011, explaining that: "We need a plan that everybody can refer to. Not with too many potentially conflicting targets and distorting subsidies. But with a simple, level playing field tool: a robust carbon price with a realistic floor."

The government has set a target of cutting Britain's carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent by 2050, an ambitious goal that implies that all of electricity production will have to be emissions-free.

EDF, which bought British Energy last year for £12.5billion, is planning to build at least four new nuclear plants in Britain, costing up to £4.4billion each