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
February 07, 2003
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: Major Sales Contract Signed
dated February 07, 2003
Exhibit No. 1
British Energy signs major sales contracts with Centrica
As part of the new trading strategy announced on 28 November 2002, British
Energy plc announces today that it has signed electricity sales contracts with
Centrica plc for some 38 TWh of energy output over four years, starting April
2003. The contracts will comprise a combination of baseload and peak power
provision. Over half of the output sold will be at a fixed price, with the
remainder being linked to future electricity market prices. The deal includes
credit cover arrangements for the term of the sales.
These contracts, together with the proposed new fuel contract with BNFL,
significantly reduce British Energy's exposure to future movements in the
electricity market price and thus represent a major element of the new trading
strategy.
The deal has been executed between British Energy Power and Energy Trading
Limited and British Gas Trading Limited, wholly owned subsidiaries of British
Energy plc and Centrica plc respectively.
Notes:
1. As announced on 28 November 2002, British Energy has entered into
non-binding heads of terms with British Nuclear Fuels plc, which allow for
fuel supply and waste management costs to be linked to wholesale electricity
market prices.
2. Also, on 28 November 2002 British Energy announced that it was implementing
a new trading strategy under which it would seek to enter into short and
medium-term power-sale contracts.
3. The sale announced today covers 10 - 15% of British Energy's anticipated
total UK generation over the period.
4. 1 TWh equals a million MWh or a thousand million kWh
Contacts:
Andrew Dowler 0207 831 3113 Financial Dynamics
Paul Heward 013552 62201 (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: February 07, 2003 BRITISH ENERGY PLC
By:____Paul Heward____
Name: Paul Heward
Title: Director - Investor Relations