EDF has revealed that a decision whether to build the first in a new generation of British nuclear reactors is still “months” away.

It had previously been expected that the French energy group would commit itself to the £24.5 billion project at the Hinkley Point site in Somerset by the end of March deadline.

New chief executive Jean-Bernard Lévy said: “We are in the final phase of negotiations, but that phase can take a considerable amount of time.”

EDF Energy, the group’s UK unit, said that it is “working hard” to finalise a deal on Hinkley Point C, which is due to come on-line by 2023. It is “making progress in discussions with future investment partners in the project.

In particular, progress is being made with Chinese partners on all aspects of their nuclear industrial co-operation in the UK, which is part of the wider partnership between EDF and Chinese companies.”

However, media reports suggest that these Chinese state-owned energy companies, which are nevertheless rivals, have major disagreements over their exact share of various supply-chain contracts.

If there is no final agreement by the end of March, analysts expect the decision to be put off until after the General Election in May.