British Energy braced for tough second half

British Energy today warned the remainder of its financial year will be “significantly impacted” by problems at two of its nuclear stations.

While the UK’s biggest power provider posted an increase in half-year earnings, its outlook has been clouded by the closure of its sites at Hartlepool and Heysham 1 in Lancashire. The boiler closure unit problems follow outages and subsequent load restrictions at Hinkley Point B and Hunterston B.

British Energy said it would consider an additional dividend to shareholders at the time of its third quarter results, although it added this would be determined by the current operating difficulties.