Ppwer companies have agreed to pay at least £200m for land to build nuclear power stations in Britain, a much higher price than the government expected.

The bidding went through the £200m figure last week in an eBay-style online auction being run by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The government agency owns land near three old reactor sites that are being sold to would-be developers of new stations.

Such a high level of interest underlines the attractiveness of nuclear energy at a time when the renewables sector, particularly offshore wind, is faltering. Power companies warned the government this month that several big offshore wind projects would be scrapped unless they get immediate government aid.

Sunday Times