France's EDF says bought UK land for new nuclear

LONDON (Reuters) - French utility EDF (EDF.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) has bought land next to two nuclear power plants in Britain in the hope that it can build new reactors at the sites, the company said on Friday.

"EDF has been exploring possibilities at Hinkley Point and at Wylfa for more than a year. As a result, EDF has purchased land next to the existing sites at both locations," the company said in a statement.

"EDF has indicated publicly for over three years that it would be interested in investing in a new generation of nuclear plants for the UK," the company said.

EDF has also submitted a takeover proposal for UK nuclear generator British Energy (BGY.L: Quote, Profile, Research), which runs Hinkley Point in southwest England, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday.

Wylfa in north Wales is run by the government's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, while British Energy is 35 percent owned by the state.

The next generation of nuclear power plants are expected to be built next to existing reactors to make use of existing grid connections and other infrastructure.

EDF, the world's largest nuclear power generator, is leading the pack of private companies hoping to build them.