Hinkley Point backers 'limit investment to 30%'

EDF has been hit with the news that the two Chinese companies planning to invest in Hinkley Point have limited the size of the stake they are willing to acquire to 30%, it was reported over the weekend.

The percentage sits at the very bottom end of the slice the Chinese companies had been expected to take.

According to the Times, China General Nuclear Corp and China National Nuclear Corp are looking to take a combined 30% stake or less in the nuclear power station project.

The newspaper said sources close to the talks had revealed that the magnitude of the disagreements was such that hopes have been all but dashed that a deal will be reached before a visit from Chinese president Xi Jinping later this month.