Nuclear power generation capacity (as of November 2004)

• Operational nuclear power units 23
• Total installed capacity 12.14 (GWe)

The nuclear contribution to electricity generation in 2005

• Total UK generation of electricity 387 TWh
• Nuclear electricity generated 75 TWh
• Nuclear share of power generated 19.4%
• Average load factor 72.4%

British Energy, which operates Britain's seven AGRs and one PWR, is the largest electricity generator in the UK, producing around one fifth of the country's electricity. It runs the eight most modern UK nuclear stations - two in Scotland and six in England - and is establishing partnerships with other UK and international energy companies. In 2000 it acquired the coal-fired power station, Eggborough, in Yorkshire.

British Energy's record of improving the performance of power generating assets is outstanding. British Energy is a quality-minded company with a wide skill base and long experience of safe, environmentally sensitive plant operation.

BNFL operates Britain's older Magnox stations on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The lifetime programmes for its Magnox stations have been revised recently. The remaining stations will close progressively during the period 2006-2010 and this has provided certainty about the future and clarity to the company's business planning. The priority is to maximise revenue and profit over the remaining lifetime of their safe operation.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority was established on 1 April 2005 and is responsible for the Magnox sites as well as BNFL's other sites and the UKAEA's sites.