ENERGY giant EDF is seeking more partners to share the costs of new nuclear plants in the UK, bosses have said.

The French based company - which wants to build two reactors at Sizewell - has also appointed a financial adviser to consider its options. A spokesman said the project had moved on “a great deal” and the company would be making a final investment decision later this year.

He said they had always said they might look for new partners and now was an appropriate time to consider options.

Thomas Piquemal, chief financial officer for EDF, told a recent press conference that the company was looking into opening up a little bit more capital in the projects by finding new partners. He said: “Our goal has always been and remains to be in control of the operations, to control the projects, but this does not mean that we absolutely need to control 80% of the projects.”

EDF hopes to start the first stage of public consultation into Sizewell C later this year.