UK government says gives green light to Hinkley Point nuclear project

`We have decided to proceed with the first new nuclear power station for a generation,` Business Secretary Greg Clark said in a statement.

London: The British government said Thursday it was giving the green light to a controversial new nuclear project at Hinkley Point after Prime Minister Theresa May ordered a review.

"Having thoroughly reviewed the proposals for Hinkley Point C, we will introduce a series of measures to enhance security and will ensure Hinkley cannot change hands without the government`s agreement," Business Secretary Greg Clark said in a statement.

"Consequently, we have decided to proceed with the first new nuclear power station for a generation".

The board of French state-owned power company EDF approved its participation in the project in southwest England on July 28, only for Britain`s new government under May to announce hours later that it wanted to review it.

China has a one-third stake in Hinkley Point, and analysts have warned that Britain would have risked its relations with the world`s second-largest economy if it cancelled the costly deal.