SECRETARY of State for Energy and Climate Change the Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP was in West Somerset on Monday and said it was vital local communities benefited from large-scale energy projects.

He was in the district to see EDF Energy's proposed site for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point and to tour the existing Hinkley B station.

He was accompanied by EDF chief executive Vincent de Rivaz and managing director of new nuclear build Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson.

Speaking of his visit to Hinkley Point Mr Huhne said: "A new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point has the potential to make an important contribution to the UK's future low carbon, secure energy supplies. 

"I've been impressed with the level of public engagement from the communities around all eight of the sites assessed by the Government as potentially suitable for new nuclear power.

"Ministers will now consider all responses before putting a final list to Parliament for approval, after which companies like EDF Energy will be able to come forward with formal planning applications."

While in Somerset, Mr Huhne officially opened a new Energy Skills Centre at Bridgwater College, a state-of-the-art training centre, which will benefit from £3 million of EDF funding as part of the firm's plans for Hinkley C.

"It's important that local communities benefit from energy projects. Making the most of local skills is going to be crucial, and I'm encouraged to see EDF Energy's support for Bridgwater College's new Energy Skills Centre," Mr Huhne said.

EDF Energy's chief executive Vincent de Rivaz said the firm would provide a multi-million pound boost to the local economy through its planned projects.

"We expect around 5,000 people to work on the site at peak and to create 900 permanent jobs during operation.

"We want Somerset people to have the maximum opportunity to benefit from our plans.

"Our investment in Bridgwater College is designed to ensure people and businesses in the local community can develop the skills they need to secure jobs and contracts on our project.

"Somerset has a fantastic opportunity to lead the low carbon energy industry and be a national centre of excellence for technical skills.

"I was also very pleased to have been able to show the Secretary of State our operating nuclear power station at Hinkley Point and the progress that we have been making towards new build."

EDF Energy is planning to to invest a further £1.5 million to establish a construction skills training centre at Bridgwater College.

It has also pledged £1.6 million for West Somerset and the West Somerset Community College to support training in specific skills and to create an apprenticeship hub for people looking to work at the new power station, if permission for Hinkley C is given.

Cllr Tim Taylor, leader of West Somerset Council, said the authority had worked tirelessly to secure long-term benefits for the district.

"We are delighted that this element, which will give young people and people who are out of work significant opportunities well into the future, has been successful.

"However, skills and education are only one element that we are championing.

"We want to continue to work with EDF Energy to ensure that people in the parish of Stogursey are adequately compensated for living with the development."

But anti-nuclear campaigners were critical of Mr Huhne's visit and accused the Liberal Democrat MP of abandoning his political roots.

Crispin Aubrey of Stop Hinkley said: "Instead of promoting the Hinkley C proposal and cosying up to EDF, Chris Huhne should be sticking to official Liberal Democrat policy.

"Until the coalition turned it upside down, this was opposed to a new generation of nuclear power plants in Britain and committed to our electricity supply coming 100 per cent from renewable sources in 2050."

He also cast doubt on claims the Government would not subsidise nuclear power generation: "No nuclear plant has been built in the UK or France without some form of state support," Mr Aubrey said.