Hitachi claims ‘no decision’ has been made on future of UK nuclear plant

Hitachi has claimed that a decision on the future of a UK nuclear plant is yet to be made following a report that it would stop construction on the site in Wales. 

The company's board is set to meet next week to discuss the future of the project and in a statement denied claims that a decision to suspend work had been made.

The Nikkei Asian Review reported that the firm was set to halt construction at the Wylfa Newydd plant due to potential increases in expenditure.

The Japanese conglomerate admitted on Friday that it was assessing the situation and that suspension of the project remained an option.

"No formal decision has been made in this regard currently, while Hitachi has been assessing the Horizon Project including its potential suspension and related financial impacts in terms of economic rationality as a private company," it said in a statement.

The firm had been in negotiations with the UK regarding the work since June, having agreed to take over the Horizon project in 2012. 

The plant's target is to have a generating capacity of 2900 MW by around 2025, as well as a 60-year operational life.

In December, Hitachi said it was fully focused on delivering the nuclear power facility. 

The news of a potential suspension has been described as "worrying" by the Welsh government in a statement. 

"This is a major project with significant economic benefits to Wales and rest of the country," the statement said.

"We will continue to monitor the situation very carefully and press the UK Government do to everything it can to help bring this project to Anglesey."