The head of NuGen has said the development of the proposed nuclear power station in Cumbria will be delayed.

The firm initially expected electricity generation to begin by 2025.

However, Chief Executive Tom Samson said: “Clearly, there will be a shift in the start date from 2025 to later in the 2020s but the plant could still be up and running before 2030.”

He added the firm expects to secure a new investor by early next year.

The nuclear power station is expected to have a capacity of up to 3.8GW and provide 7% of the UK’s electricity needs.

GMB union, which represents nuclear workers, is calling on the government to intervene and ensure the plant is built “in a timely manner”.

Senior Organiser Chris Jukes said: “This delay is far from a surprise and finally confirms what GMB has been saying for months.

“We welcome the honesty from NuGen and ask why the government is so silent and failing to show leadership on Moorside.”

ELN has contacted BEIS for a statement.