THE specialist nuclear division of a marine services specialist James Fisher and Sons is hoping to win lucrative contracts at Hinkley Point.

Energy company EDF is expected to announce imminently that it is pushing ahead with the new nuclear power plant in Somerset, the first in the UK for almost 20 years.

EDF is owned by the French state.

The way is clear for it to make the final investment decision following the conclusion of a consultation with its Central Works Council last week, where French unions raised no objections.

There had been fears that the unions might try to delay the project, in part because the reactor technology being used is new and untested.

James Fisher and Sons described the outcome as “encouraging news”.

The Barrow-based company, which is already a major player in nuclear decommissioning, has made no secret of the fact that it sees major opportunities in nuclear new build at Hinkley Point and at Moorside, Sellafield.

Reporting annual results for 2015 in March, it said: “The company will be able to provide services to the UK's nuclear new-build sector once this moves forward.”

Further encouragement has been provided by a clarification statement from EDF in the wake of the EU referendum result.

Chief executive Jean-Bernard Lévy said that the UK's decision to leave the EU "does not change the fundamental features of the [Hinkley Point] project nor the willingness of those involved to go ahead with it".

The two reactors are scheduled to begin operating in 2025, generating around seven per cent of the UK's electricity needs.

Under a deal agreed last October, China General Nuclear will take a one-third stake in the £18bn project.

The two companies also plan to build nuclear power plants at Sizewell in Suffolk and Bradwell in Essex, potentially creating opportunities for James Fisher.

In April, James Fisher Nuclear won a £60m four-year nuclear decommissioning contract at Winfrith power station in Dorset.