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EDF has released the first year of funds from its 拢18bn budget for Hinkley Point C and has restarted work on the nuclear power plant, despite not yet making a final investment decision on the project.

A source close to the project told 好色先生TV that EDF released a 鈥渃ouple of hundred million鈥� in funds last month to enable suppliers working on the early stages of the controversial scheme to restart work, including enabling contractors Kier and Bam.

An EDF spokeswoman confirmed to 好色先生TV it was pressing on with work at the site with an average of 400 workers a day. She said: 鈥淲ork to ensure the project鈥檚 readiness is continuing, including project planning, engineering design and commercial supply chain activities. We continue work to prepare for site remobilisation.鈥�

The news comes as the French government yesterday promised to bailout the 85% state-owned energy company if it runs into any financial dificulty building Hinkley Point C, paving the way for a final investment decision.

France鈥檚 economics minister, Emmanuel Macron, said it would be a mistake for EDF not to build Hinkley, adding: 鈥淚f there is a need to recapitalise (EDF), we will.鈥�

Kier and Bam 鈥� which renegotiated their contract with the French energy giant last October to 拢203m, more than double their original contract fee 鈥� have been on and off the Somerset site with workers and equipment a number of times since originally winning the contract in 2012. The source said they would not have returned to site this time without assurances EDF intented to finally commit to the scheme.

With the enabling works being done at least they鈥檝e got something they can sell on easily

Project source

Costain is also believed to have started investigative tunnelling works on site.

EDF recently leased office space close to the Hinkley site in Bridgwater, where suppliers working on the project are also based.

Enabling and groundworks are expected to take around 18 months, after which contractors Laing O鈥橰ourke and Bouygues TP 鈥� who won the 拢2bn main civils contract in 2012 - are set to begin main construction of the plant.

The source said that if construction remains on schedule - EDF鈥檚 chosen European pressurised reactor (EPR) design has faced several delays on similar projects in France, Finland and China - Hinkley Point C is expected to be completed in 2025 now that enabling works have started.

When asked why EDF would release the budget for enabling works and start on site before the final investment decision is made, the source suggested the client could still be keeping its options open: 鈥淚t makes the site more sellable and increases its market value.

鈥淭he site has already got planning, and with the enabling works being done at least they鈥檝e got something they can sell on easily to another developer [if EDF doesn鈥檛 make a final investment decision].鈥�

Kier referred enquiries to EDF. Bam was unavailable for comment.