Malcolm Wicks, British Energy Minister, said: We need to protect the taxpayer. We need to make sure that new nuclear isn’t a monopoly business.
These comments of the minister are believed to be an indication that the government will not okay a single bidder such as EDF or RWE to buy British Energy on its own. It is now expected that the company will be sold to a group of firms.
The government said that it has kept its 35% stake in British Energy under review. It also added that it will allow British Energy to take lead in the takeover negotiations. Nevertheless, given its interest in the company, the government is keeping an eye on the talks.
British Energy’s plants generate 20% of UK’s electricity. Given their age, most plants will have to stop operations over the next 15 years. However, British Energy is deemed to be an important player in the new-build program as it controls access to most of the preferred sites for new stations.
