Energy giant EON has said the Hoo peninsular could be considered as a location for nuclear power stations.

The German company, which runs sites at Kingsnorth and the Isle of Grain, wants to build two nuclear power stations in the UK.

The company’s first choice would be to build the plants near existing nuclear sites. But if Eon is unable to acquire such sites they would consider building near their existing coal or gas fired power stations.

Both Kingsnorth and the Isle of Grain could be possible sites for such a project.

A spokesman for Eon said: “We would like to build two nuclear power stations somewhere in the UK. The best place for them would be on sites already used as nuclear power stations.

“If none of these sites are available then perhaps we would consider sites of non-nuclear power stations.

“Nuclear power on the Isle of Grain or at Kingsnorth is not something we can categorically rule out.”

The government plans to build eight new nuclear power stations. The deadline for power companies to submit bids for the project is this autumn. The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform will then assess the proposed sites before opening a public consultation next spring.

Eon already has plans to build a new gas-fired plant at the Isle of Grain and is seeking approval to build a clean coal-fired plant at Kingsnorth.

The Kingsnorth scheme would be the first coal-fired power station to be built in more than 20 years and has met heavy public opposition.