Nuclear Electric

Nuclear Electric

Company type	Public sector company
Industry	Nuclear power generation
Predecessor	Central Electricity Generating Board (nuclear division)
Founded	1990
Defunct	1996
Fate	Integrated into British Energy
Successor	British Energy
Headquarters	Barnwood , England, United Kingdom
Area served	United Kingdom
Key people	John G. Collier (chairman)
Products	Electricity generation (nuclear)
Owner	Public ownership (UK government)

Nuclear Electric was a British company focused on nuclear power generation, founded in 1990 amid the privatisation process of the UK Electricity Supply Industry. In 1996, it was integrated into British Energy, which itself was acquired by EDF Energy in 2010.

Pre-1990 Context

Prior to 1990, the responsibility for electricity generation and transmission in England and Wales belonged to the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB). The CEGB's dissolution during the 1990s led to the creation of distinct entities for generation—PowerGen, National Power, and Nuclear Electric—and a separate company for transmission, the National Grid Company.

Formation and Operation of Nuclear Electric (1990–1995)

Originally, nuclear power facilities such as Magnox, AGR, and the under-construction Sizewell B (PWR) were part of National Power’s nuclear division. However, these assets were excluded from National Power’s privatisation process. This resulted in the establishment of Nuclear Electric to oversee and operate the UK’s nuclear stations, which remained under public ownership for several years.

The inaugural chairman was John G. Collier, formerly head of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. The company’s main office was situated in Barnwood, a location that had previously housed the CEGB's Generation Design and Construction Division.

Integration into British Energy and Subsequent EDF Energy Ownership (1995–2010)

In 1995, Nuclear Electric's holdings combined with those of Scottish Nuclear, forming British Energy. This new private company began operations in 1996, managing eight advanced nuclear reactors—seven AGR units and one PWR.

Meanwhile, the older Magnox reactors were allocated to Magnox Electric, which merged with BNFL in 1998. Following this, US-based EnergySolutions took over management of these sites after acquiring BNFL’s subsidiary, Reactor Sites Management Company, in 2007.

In 2009, Électricité de France (EDF) purchased British Energy, rebranding it as EDF Energy effective from 1 July 2010.

See also

• Nuclear power in the United Kingdom
• Privatisation of Central Electricity Generating Board