A bird view of the Hinkley point nuclear project [Photo: Google Earth]

　　A decision on the future of the Hinkley point Nuclear Power station project in the west of England has been put off until the autumn. The last minute postponement is yet another setback for the project that has been two-decades in the planning.

　　The project is a collaboration between Britain, France and Chinese investors.

　　If the plant becomes operational, it could deliver up to 7 percent of the electricity for the UK.

　　The Hinkley power plant would be the biggest construction site in Europe, and could provide up to 25 thousand jobs. When fully operational the plant is likely to provide over 5,000 jobs.

　　EDF, the French company behind the construction of the plant, estimates that it will cost 18 million pounds to build.

　　For more on this, Lincoln van der Westhuizen spoke to Dr. Philip Andrews-Speed, Principal Fellow & Head of Energy Security at the Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore.