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Encyclopedia > British Energy
British Energy plc
Type Public
Founded 1995
Headquarters Livingston, Scotland, UK
Key people Adrian Montague, (Chairman)
William Coley, (CEO)
Industry Energy
Products electricity generation
Revenue £2.2billion (year to 31/03/2006)
Operating income £635m
Net income £535m after taxes
Website http://www.british-energy.com

British Energy plc (LSE: BGY) is the UK's largest electricity generator by volume and a constituent company of FTSE 100. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Livingston is a name shared by various towns and places: Livingston, Scotland, United Kingdom The Westminster constituency of Livingston and Scottish parliamentary constituency of Livingston. ... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Cha togar mfhearg gun dioladh (Scottish Gaelic) Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotland() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Monarch Queen... Electricity generation is the first process in the delivery of electricity to consumers. ... Revenue is a U.S. business term for the amount of money that a company earns from its activities in a given period, mostly from sales of products and/or services to customers. ... Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), also known as operating income and operating profit, is a term used to describe a companys earnings. ... Net income is equal to the income that a firm has after subtracting costs and expenses from the total revenue. ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos and other digital assets that is hosted on a Web server, usually accessible via the Internet or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML, that is almost always accessible... The Source by Greyworld, in the new LSE building Paternoster Square. ... The Financial Times Stock Exchange Index of 100 Leading Shares, or FTSE 100 Index (pronounced footsie), is a share index of the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. ...

Contents

Operations

Eight nuclear power stations: A nuclear power plant (NPP) is a thermal power station in which the heat source is one or more nuclear reactors. ...

One coal fired power station: // There are two nuclear power stations located near Dungeness in the south east of Kent, England. ... Hartlepool Power Station is a nuclear power station of the advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) type, which was opened near Hartlepool in 1983 and is scheduled for decommissioning by 2014. ... The Heysham site includes two nuclear power station of the advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) type. ... Heysham Stage 2 Nuclear Power Station is one of two Advanced Gas-Cooled Nuclear Power Stations situated in Heysham, near Lancaster, UK. The station houses two fission reactors which heat water into steam to drive turbines, 5 for each reactor, which consequently turn generators to produce electricity. ... Hinkley Point B is a nuclear power station near Bridgwater, Somerset, on the south west coast of England. ... Hunterston B Power Station is a nuclear power station south of Largs in North Ayrshire, Scotland. ... Sizewell B nuclear power station Sizewell B nuclear power station is the UKs only large pressurised water reactor (PWR) and operated by British Energy. ... Image:Torness. ... Coal Coal (IPA: ) is a fossil fuel formed in swamp ecosystems where plant remains were saved by water and mud from oxidization and biodegradation. ...

Eggborough Power Station is one of three power stations (Ferrybridge, Eggborough, Drax) which extend in a line about 4 miles apart from each other to the north of the M62 motorway. ...

History

Dungeness B advanced gas-cooled reactor, recently given a 10-year life extension to 2018.

British Energy was established, and registered in Scotland, in 1995 to operate the eight most modern nuclear power plants in the UK. It took the two AGR from Scottish Nuclear and five AGR and sole PWR from Nuclear Electric. The residual Magnox power stations from these two companies were transferred to the Magnox Electric which later became the generation division of British Nuclear Fuels. The company was privatised in 1996. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1266x870, 405 KB) Summary View of Dungeness power Station in kent, UK. Taken by contributor. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1266x870, 405 KB) Summary View of Dungeness power Station in kent, UK. Taken by contributor. ... There are two nuclear power stations located near Dungeness in the south east of Kent, England. ... Schematic diagram of the Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor. ... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Cha togar mfhearg gun dioladh (Scottish Gaelic) Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotland() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Monarch Queen... Schematic diagram of the Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor. ... Scottish Nuclear was formed as a precursor to the privatisation of the Electricity Supply Industry in Scotland on 1 April 1990. ... Schematic diagram of the Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor. ... A pressurized water reactor (PWR) is a type of nuclear power reactor that uses ordinary (light) water for both coolant and for neutron moderator. ... Nuclear Electric was formed as a result of the privisation of the UK Electricity Supply Industry. ... Schematic diagram of a Magnox nuclear reactor showing gas flow. ... Categories: Government of the UK | Stub ...


In June 1999, in an attempt to become an integrated generating and retail company, British Energy bought the retail electrictity and gas supplier SWALEC based in Wales, providing 6% of the England and Wales electricity supply market. However it was unable to purchase another retailer at a reasonable cost to create a widespread retail presence, so sold SWALEC a few months later to Scottish and Southern Energy.[1] SWALEC (South Wales Electricity) was an electricity supply and distribution company which was bought out in 1996 for £872m following the de-regulation of the electricity supply industry in the UK. The purchaser, newly privatised company Welsh Water, rebranded itself as Hyder (defunct company). ... Scottish & Southern Energy plc (SSE) is an energy company founded in 1998 following a merger of equals between Scottish Hydro-Electric plc and Southern Electric plc. ...


British Energy bought the 2,000 MWe Eggborough coal fired station from National Power in 2000 to provide a more flexible power production facility to reduce penalty charge risks from the New Electricity Trading Arrangements introduced in March 2001. Despite this, the new arrangements led to a significantly lower electricity price for inflexible base load power stations such as British Energy had. The purchase of Eggborough occurred at the peak of the market for power stations, and in 2002 the value of the station was written down by half.[2] MWe and MWt are units for measuring the output of a power plant. ... In the context of international relations and diplomacy, power (sometimes clarified as international power, national power, or state power) is the ability of one state to influence or control other states. ... A base load power plant is one that provides a steady flow of power regardless of total power demand by the grid. ...


In 2005 British Energy announced a 10-year life extension for Dungeness B, that will see the station continue operating until 2018.[3] British Energy hopes most of its other advanced gas-cooled reactors will obtain similar life extensions as their estimated closure dates are approached. Schematic diagram of the Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor. ...


In June 2006, British Energy joined the Dignity at Work Partnership, an anti-bullying project. The Dignity at Work project is being led by trade union Amicus as it seeks to tackle the growing problem of bullying and harassment in the workplace. Peter Prozesky, Head of Operations at British Energy said: "We recognise the seriousness and the consequences bullying in the workplace could have on our staff and ultimately the company, and at British Energy Group we remain committed to fostering our value of respect."


Bruce Power

In 2001, the company was the major partner in taking on the operating lease to become the licensed operator of the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station in Ontario, Canada. The resultant subisidary was called Bruce Power. As part of the financial re-structuring, the sale to a consortium of Canadian investors was announced in December 2002 with the sale being completed in February 2003. Bruce Nuclear Generating Station is a Canadian nuclear power station located in Tiverton, Ontario. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman - Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 106 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area [1] Ranked... Bruce Power Inc. ...


Financial difficulties

The company has been in financial trouble since 2002, when it first approached the British government for financial aid. This followed a slump in wholesale energy prices, a failure to obtain relaxations on the Climate Change Levy, and renegotiations of its back-end fuel costs with BNFL, as well as issues with a number of its reactors (resulting in much capacity being offline during critical periods of the company financial crisis) and a failure to complete a timely sale of its joint-venture share in AmerGen. Parties to the resulting talks included bondholders, significant but unsecured creditors, power purchase agreement counterparties, and a group of secured creditors known as the Eggborough banks, because they provided financing for the purchase of the Eggborough coal-fired power plant in 2000. The United Kingdoms Climate Change Programme was launched by the British government in response to its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. ... British Nuclear Fuels plc or BNFL manufactures and transports nuclear fuel (notably MOX), runs reactors, generates and sells electricity, reprocesses and manages spent fuel (mainly at Sellafield), and decommissions nuclear plants and other similar facilities. ...


The plan that resulted from these talks would nearly eliminate any equity interest by existing stockholders, as the firm's creditors waived over £1bn of debts in return for control of the company. Shareholders would receive only 2.5% of the shares of the new company. However, a hedge fund, Polygon Investment Partners LLP announced in July 2004 that it has an alternative plan, and it has since sought to block the government’s negotiations. It believes that the proposed restructuring violates the rights of shareholders under the law of the European Union and under the UK Human Rights Act 1998. The Human Rights Act 1998 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom which received Royal Assent on November 9, 1998, and mostly came into force on October 2, 2000. ...


On September 22, 2004 the UK government's investment of over £3 billion in the restructured firm was approved by the European Commission. On September 24 the company was reclassified as a public body in what the Office for National Statistics described as a reflection of "the control that can be exercised by government over British Energy." This move was described by The Times as a de-facto nationalisation of the group. is the 265th day of the year (266th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Commission seat in Brussels The European Commission (formally the Commission of the European Communities) is the executive body of the European Union. ... September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom since 1785, and under its current name since 1788. ... Nationalization is the act of taking assets into state ownership. ...


Recent positive announcements from all quarters including many renowned environmentalists coupled with an increase in the wholesale energy prices of oil and natural gas have led to increased speculation on British Energy's relisted shares. Bold textHello ... Pumpjack pumping an oil well near Lubbock, Texas Ignacy Łukasiewicz - inventor of the refining of kerosene from crude oil. ... Natural gas is a gaseous fossil fuel consisting primarily of methane but including significant quantities of ethane, butane, propane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium and hydrogen sulfide. ...


Restructuring

Under the British Government's restructuring programme the Nuclear Liabilities Fund (NLF) acts as a creditor and liability receiver for British Energy Group. In return, a mechanism was put in place whereby NLF can carry out a cash sweep of the organisation whereby it claims 65% of British Energy's available cash flow each year; on top of a fixed annual contribution. British Energy is allowed to borrow up to £700m under the arrangements, with the NLF providing £275m. The Nuclear Liabilities Fund was created by the British Government in November 2004 to assume the long-term financial liabilities from spent nuclear fuels. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...


The British Government is also assuming liabilities worth between £150m and £200m p.a. over the next ten years, which will help reduce British Energy's nuclear fuel liabilities. The present fuel liabilities run until 2086.


Despite its financial problems and government help with its fuel liabilities, British Energy's Chief Executive claimed, on 20 June 2006, that nuclear power stations would be economically viable without government guarantee or subsidy if the operation of the energy market was changed.[4] is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...


The British Government's interest in British Energy is managed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), falling under the remit of the Shareholder Executive, which is part of the DTI. The Department of Trade and Industry is a United Kingdom government department. ... The Shareholder Executive is the body within the British Government responsible for managing the governments financial interest in a range of public companies. ...


The restructuring of British Energy has been subject to three National Audit Office reports; in May 1998, February 2004 and March 2006. The National Audit Office (NAO) is an independent Parliamentary body in the United Kingdom which is responsible for auditing central government departments, government agencies and non-departmental public bodies. ...


Disposal of government interest

In July 2006 the government announced that they were considering selling part of their interest in British Energy.[5] On 30 May 2007 it was announced that the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry would instruct the Nuclear Liabilities Fund to sell up to approximately 450 million shares, representing around 28% of the Fund's interest in British Energy.[5][6] The Fund's cash sweep percentage would be reduced from around 64% to approximately 36% following the sale.[6] Revenue from the sale will be used to diversify the Nuclear Liabilities Fund's assets.[5] is the 150th day of the year (151st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is a cabinet position in the United Kingdom government. ... The Nuclear Liabilities Fund was created by the British Government in November 2004 to assume the long-term financial liabilities from spent nuclear fuels. ...


See also

Energy Portal

Image File history File links Crystal_128_energy. ... As of 2006, the United Kingdom has 23 nuclear reactors generating one-fifth of its electricity (19. ... For Government policy, see Energy policy of the United Kingdom Energy use and conservation in the United Kingdom has been receiving increased attention over recent years. ... This is a list of topics related to the United Kingdom. ...

References

  1. ^ http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/03-04/0304264.pdf#page=28
  2. ^ http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/03-04/0304264.pdf#page=24
  3. ^ http://www.british-energy.com/article.php?article=99
  4. ^ http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9078-2235388,00.html
  5. ^ a b c Government disposal of interest in British Energy Group plc, Government News Network, published 2007-05-30, accessed 2007-06-06
  6. ^ a b Impact of Government Announcement re Disposal of Interest in British Energy, British Energy, published 2007-05-31, accessed 2007-06-06

The Government News Network (commonly abbreviated GNN) is a UK Government press and public relations agency based in each of the nine English Government regions as well as in sub offices in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Plymouth. ...

External links

The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as the Lords. The Sovereign, the House of Commons (which is the lower house of Parliament and referred to as the Commons), and the Lords together comprise the Parliament. ... Hansard is the traditional name for the printed transcripts of parliamentary debates in the Westminster system of government. ... February 24 is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Audit Office (NAO) is an independent Parliamentary body in the United Kingdom which is responsible for auditing central government departments, government agencies and non-departmental public bodies. ... The National Audit Office (NAO) is an independent Parliamentary body in the United Kingdom which is responsible for auditing central government departments, government agencies and non-departmental public bodies. ...

In the media


  Results from FactBites:
 
High prices lift British Energy earnings 145% | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited (523 words)
British Energy's shares fell 6% by lunchtime trading despite the 145% rise in earnings before tax, interest, depreciation and amortisation to £289m in the three months to June 2.
British Energy increased its spending on plants, projects and strategic spares by £13m to £54m in the quarter and expects full-year spending to be between £250m and £300m.
In 2002 British Energy faced collapse because of a slump in electricity prices and had to be rescued by the government, which took over responsibility for its estimated £5bn decommissioning bill under a complex scheme that in effect left the government with a stake of about 65%.
British Energy profits surge on power price rise | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited (771 words)
Photograph: PA The nuclear generator British Energy reported soaring profits yesterday due to higher electricity prices but unsettled investors with a warning that it is likely to miss its power output target for the third year in a row.
British Energy shares fell almost 5% despite the 145% rise in earnings before tax, interest, depreciation and amortisation to £289m in the three months to June 2.
In 2002 British Energy faced collapse because of a slump in electricity prices and had to be rescued by the government, which took over responsibility for its estimated £5bn decommissioning bill under a complex scheme that in effect left the state with a stake of about 65%.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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