FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
April 02, 2004
BRITISH ENERGY PLC
(Registrant's name)
3 Redwood Crescent
Peel Park
East Kilbride G74 5PR
Scotland
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F.....
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ..... No ..X..
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
Exhibit Index
The following document (bearing the exhibit number listed below) is furnished
herewith and is made a part of this Report pursuant to the General Instructions
for Form 6-K:
Exhibit Description
No. 1 RNS Announcement, re: March Output Statement dated 02 April 2004.
2 April 2004
BRITISH ENERGY plc - OUTPUT STATEMENT
A summary of net output from British Energy's power stations in March 2004 is
given in the table below, together with comparative data for the previous
financial year:-
2002/03 2003/04
March Year to Date March Year to Date
Output Load Output Load Output Load Output Load
(TWh) Factor (%) (TWh) Factor (%) (TWh) Factor (TWh) Factor
(%) (%)
UK Nuclear 5.59 79 63.76 76 5.91 83 64.96 77
UK Other 0.45 31 5.67 33 0.67 47 7.62 45
OVERVIEW
The UK nuclear plants annual output was 64.96TWh for the financial year ended 31
March 2004 as compared with 63.76TWh the previous year. This level of output was
below the revised target of around 65.5TWh, announced previously, as a result of
unplanned outages at several stations (referred to below) which resulted in
losses in excess of the remaining allowance.
As announced on 12 March 2004, our indicative target for nuclear output for
2004/05 is 64.5 TWh after factoring in the need to replace the cast iron
pipework at several stations following the review of the implications of the
recent unplanned outage at Heysham 1.
Planned Outages for March
- A refuelling outage was commenced on one reactor each at Dungeness B and
Hartlepool.
- Low load refuelling was carried out on both reactors at Heysham 2 and on
one reactor at Hunterston B.
Unplanned Outages for March
- At Hinkley Point, several problems were encountered including a
generator transformer which required shutdown for inspection and repair, the
combination of which resulted in a total loss of 0.5TWh. Hinkley Point has
since returned to service.
- At Dungeness, the internal failure of a feed heater caused damage to
pumps which had to be taken out of service for repair resulting in a loss of
0.2TWh. The Dungeness reactor is expected to return to service shortly
pending completion of the repairs and refuelling.
- At Torness, a series of minor problems were encountered resulting in a
combined loss of 0.2TWh. Torness has since returned to service.
- There were several other, less material, unplanned outages aggregating
to 0.1TWh.
Contact:
Andrew Dowler 020 7831 3113 (Media Enquiries)
Alastair Russell 013552 62100 (Investor Relations)
Find this News Release on our web-site: www.british-energy.com
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: April 02, 2004 BRITISH ENERGY PLC
By:____Paul Heward____
Name: Paul Heward
Title: Director - Investor Relations