On and RWE to pull out of building new plants in the UK. The government had planned to build eight new plants, but with French power group EDF the only major bidder left, it is very unlikely this many will be built.

BBC: Energy bill to boost cleaner energy production

The most recent was Mr Sarkozy's appointment of Henri Proglio, an industrialist and friend, to run EDF, a state-controlled energy group.

ECONOMIST: Rebranding Nicolas Sarkozy

An EDF spokesperson said the company was suing the group due to the "damage, cost and disruption".

BBC: West Burton power station: EDF to sue protesters

An EDF spokesperson has said the company was suing the group due to the "damage, cost and disruption".

BBC: West Burton power station

They are: Constellation, Duke, EDF International North America, Entergy, Exelon, FPL Group, Progress, SCANA, Southern Co.

FORBES: Magazine Article

They are: Constellation, Duke, EDF International North America, Entergy, Exelon, FPL Group (nyse: FPL - news - people ), Progress, SCANA, Southern Co.

FORBES: America's Next Nukes

But EDF's former chief operating officer, Derek Lickorish, now head of the government's Fuel Poverty Advisory Group, said it was not a fair comparison as French electricity was 80% nuclear while the UK still relied on fossil fuels.

BBC: Windfall tax is 'still an option'