THE owner of British Gas is exploring a potential investment in Hinkley Point C Solutions Limited as French state energy giant Electricité de France S.A. (EDF) scrambles to raise more funds for the troubled nuclear project. Centrica plc (LSE:CNA) has held discussions about a possible deal in recent months, although the talks are at an early stage, The Telegraph understands. City sources suggested the company could put at least £1 billion into the scheme, which is being built in Somerset, in exchange for a stake of 5% or more.

Any deal would also likely secure Centrica a share of the plant's electricity output, at a time when energy suppliers are revisiting nuclear as a potential source of "clean" power to replace fossil fuels. It comes as EDF, which owns 68% of Hinkley, faces a reported £5 billion shortfall in funding needed to complete the scheme. As part of efforts to plug the gap, the company and the French government have lobbied for financial support from the UK Government while also seeking new private backers.

An investment by Centrica would extend a long-running partnership between the British company and EDF. The FTSE 100 giant already holds a 20% share in all five of EDF's remaining UK nuclear power stations. This also entitles it to trade an equivalent share of the electricity they generate, a deal that has helped Centrica net at least £1.5 billion in profits since the 2022 surge in power prices.

With all but one of the plants scheduled to close this decade, however, the company's bosses have been exploring whether to invest in new nuclear projects. Until now, Centrica's only interest was thought to be in the proposed Sizewell C plant in Suffolk. Those in talks with the Government include Centrica, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec), Schroders Greencoat and Amber Infrastructure Group.

However, one City source said there was crossover between the Sizewell bidders and those having talks with EDF about a possible investment in Hinkley, with Centrica having expressed interest in the latter as well. Centrica is expected to back only one of the nuclear schemes, or neither, people familiar with the discussions suggested. It is seen as unlikely to invest in both.

Hinkley may ultimately look more attractive to energy supplier Centrica, depending on the terms, as the plant is due to come online before Sizewell, the City source said. This is despite significant delays and cost overruns. They added: "It would be a bit weird, strategically, for Centrica executives to say we want to lock a billion pounds of shareholders' money up for 15 years before a single electron gets produced.

"The more strategic transaction would be to put a billion into Hinkley, but with a very good deal from EDF." On October 4, 2024, a spokesman for Centrica declined to comment. EDF also declined to comment.