It was expected that a final investment decision on the project would be made at the end of this month, but once again this has been delayed.

Speaking before the French parliament’s Economic Affairs Committee, Macron also said it was unlikely EDF would choose not to take part in the project.

“The principal nuclear project in the developed world is Hinkley Point,” Macron said.

“Can we legitimately choose not to take part in the largest nuclear project in the developed world? For my part, I don’t think so.”

Today watchdog MPs on the UK energy select committee plan to quiz EDF Energy chief executive Vincent de Rivaz about plans for Hinkley and the future of other planned nuclear projects like Sizewell C.

Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Committee, Angus MacNeil MP: “The Government is counting on new nuclear to supply a significant proportion of the UK’s demand for low-carbon baseload power in future.

“The focus right now is on Hinkley Point C but there are other important projects in the pipeline. Serious questions are being raised about the cost and viability of the Hinkley project and the value for money for taxpayers.”