Outages Lead to Output Decline at British Energy Nuke Plants

Source: The Herald Publication date: Mar 07, 2000

NUCLEAR operator British Energy has warned that outages at two of its plants will lead to lower output for the 12 months to March 31 and may impact profits in the coming financial year.

The company, which yesterday completed its takeover of the Eggborough coal-fired station in North Yorkshire, said the main difficulties were encountered at Dungeness B. This has been shut since November for repairs to boiler steam pipes, and it is uncertain when it will return to operation.

Rotor failures at the second plant, Heysham 2, have been dealt with and the unit is back on line.

A spokesman for Edinburgh-based British Energy said it was too early to tell how significant the financial impact on figures for 2000/2001 would be.

Nuclear output for the current year is now forecast at 63 terawatt hours, compared to up to 65 previously.

But this is not expected to have a material impact on profits, with losses offset by contract cover and insurance payments.

The shares closed 15.25p lower yesterday at 240.25p.

Publication date: Mar 07, 2000 ) 2000, NewsReal, Inc.

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-- Carl Jenkins (Somewherepress@aol.com), March 09, 2000