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


                                 March 12 2004


                               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: 'Re Q3 Results' dated 12 March 2004

12 March 2004

                               BRITISH ENERGY plc

    THIRD QUARTER RESULTS - EBITDA, CONTINGENT ASSET AND NUCLEAR FUEL COSTS

Following the  announcement of its third quarter results on 26 February 2004 and
the related results presentation, British Energy has recently become aware, as a
result of enquiries by  investors,  that the  accounting  for the fuel  payments
under the new fuel services  contracts with British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) and
the  implications  for  earnings  before  interest,   taxes,   depreciation  and
amortisation (EBITDA) post restructuring requires clarification.

The Company's results  presentation  included a statement of EBITDA. This showed
EBITDA  for  continuing  activities  of GBP42m for the 9 month  period  ended 31
December  2003 and  GBP26m  for the 3 month  period  ended 31  December  2003 in
accordance  with  UK  GAAP  as set  out in  Slide  10 of the  presentation  (see
Appendix). However, as stated in the presentation, to produce an adjusted EBITDA
on a post  restructured  basis,  it  would  be  necessary  to make a  number  of
adjustments  which would not be in  accordance  with UK GAAP.  Such  adjustments
would include the profit and loss difference between the BNFL contracts in place
prior to the restructuring  (historic contracts) and those that will be in place
after the  restructuring  (new  contracts).  This  adjustment  would  involve an
addition of GBP37m to EBITDA for the 9 month period and an addition of GBP6m for
the 3 month period which  compares with the cash  benefits  between the historic
and new  back  end  contracts  of  GBP137m  and  GBP33m  (see  note 3  Table  1)
respectively.

In order to present EBITDA for the 3 and 9 month periods on a post  restructured
basis,  the table  below is provided  for  illustrative  purposes.  It is not in
accordance with UK GAAP and does not constitute a forecast.


                                                           3 months     9 months
                                                              ended        ended
                                                        31 December  31 December
                                                               2003         2003

                                                              GBPm          GBPm


EBITDA continuing activities in accordance with UK GAAP         26            42
Benefit of new contracts (1)                                     6            37
Adjusted EBITDA                                                 32            79


(1) The  financial  benefit to the Group of the new  contracts in any  financial
period will depend, in part, on the prevailing average  electricity market price
during that period


No other  adjustment  has been made which may be required to take account of the
potential  impact on EBITDA of any  restructuring  related  adjustments  nor any
other changes which may impact the business.

Slide 10 of the presentation included a reference to capex included in operating
costs. As disclosed in the results, capital investment expenditure of GBP13m for
the 3 month  period and GBP60m for the 9 month  period has been  expensed in the
profit and loss account. These amounts have been expensed to the profit and loss
account as a result of the significant  fixed asset impairment at 31 March 2003.
The Company will review the economic  assumptions  underlying the calculation of
fixed asset  carrying  values at 31 March 2004,  in line with FRS11.  The amount
that would be capitalised will be determined in accordance with FRS 15. There is
no certainty that expenditure  previously  treated as fixed asset additions will
be  capitalised  in the future.  In view of the  foregoing it is not possible to
estimate the future impact on EBITDA.

During the third quarter there were extended outages at Heysham 1 and Sizewell B
with a lost profit  contribution  estimated  at GBP50m.  Due to the  uncertainty
about the  recurrence  of  unplanned  outage this  amount has not been  included
within adjusted EBITDA.

The  foregoing  has dealt with the EBITDA  implications.  More details about the
differences  between  the  historic  and new  contracts  are set out below.  The
accounting  for nuclear fuel costs for the 3 and 9 month periods was drawn up on
the basis that the historic back end fuel contracts continued in existence.  The
new  contracts  are  conditional  on,  inter alia,  completion  of the  proposed
restructuring.  However,  cash  payments  are  being  made to BNFL as if the new
contracts  had become  effective  on 1 April 2003.  This gave rise to a creditor
balance in the accounts which will be released,  as part of other  restructuring
adjustments,  upon implementation of the proposed restructuring.  The cumulative
balance of GBP259m at 31 December  2003 was  disclosed as a contingent  asset in
the results.  The contingent  asset has not yet been recognised in its financial
accounts and its recognition will occur only on the successful completion of the
restructuring.

Table 1 below shows the  nuclear  fuel profit and loss and cash costs under both
the historic and the new contracts for the 3 month and 9 month ended 31 December
2003.  The fuel costs  comprise  front end  (fabrication,  uranics and ancillary
costs) and back end (spent fuel services) costs.





    Table 1 - Summary of Nuclear Fuel Costs (P&L) for 3 and 9 Month ended 31
                   December 2003 and associated cash payments

                                                                                   

                                                            3 months                 9 months
                                                             ended                     ended
                                                        31 December 2003         31 December 2003
                                                     P&L effect      Cash    P&L effect   Cash effect
                                                                    effect
                                                         GBPm       GBPm         GBPm         GBPm

Nuclear fuel cost under historic contracts              78(1)         98       233(1)         336

Nuclear fuel costs under new contracts                  72(2)         65       196(2)         199

Savings under new contracts                               6         33 (3)       37       137(1) (3)



(1)  As disclosed in the unaudited third quarter results to 31 December 2003.

(2)  Includes back end fuel costs assuming an average electricity market
     price of GBP17.8/MWh as applicable under the new contracts

(3)  Excludes stoodstill interest of GBP6m for 3 month period and GBP9m for 9
     months period


As can be seen from the above table the cash savings from the new BNFL contracts
are GBP33m for the 3 month  period and GBP137m for the 9 month  period,  whereas
the profit and loss saving is GBP6m and GBP37m respectively.  This is due to the
difference  between  cash  payments  and amounts  charged to the profit and loss
account under the structure of the historic BNFL contracts. Since the profile of
cash payments over the life of the historic BNFL  contracts is weighted  towards
current  years the actual  total cash  payments for front and back end costs for
the 9 month period would have been GBP336m,  GBP103m  higher than the profit and
loss account charge for the period of GBP233m.

To illustrate the impact of differing average  electricity market prices Table 2
shows  the  total  fuel  costs  for a 12  month  period  at  market  prices  for
electricity  of GBP16/MWh and GBP21/MWh  (2002/03  money values) with an assumed
total nuclear output level of 67TWh, of which AGR output represents 58TWh. These
figures are illustrative only and do not constitute a forecast.




            Table 2 - Indicative Nuclear Fuel Operating Costs (P&L)
                             for 12 Month Period
                                                                                             

Average electricity market price as applicable under new            GBP16/MWh(1)          GBP21/MWh(1)
contracts
                                                                       GBPm                GBPm

Nuclear fuel costs under historic contracts (3)                         319                 329
Nuclear fuel costs under new contracts                                  225                 351

Cost impact                                                             94                (22)(2)



(1) The GBP16/MWh and GBP21/MWh price level quoted above are stated in 2002/03
    money values.

(2) The cost impact is capped at GBP(22)m at average electricity market prices
    above GBP21/MWh and at prices above this level total fuel costs are
    unchanged on the basis of 2002/03 money values.

(3) Calculated using 2002/03 money values

British  Energy's  Proposed  Restructuring  remains subject to a large number of
significant  uncertainties  and important  conditions,  including receipt by the
Secretary  of State  for  Trade  and  Industry  (the  Secretary  of  State) of a
satisfactory  notification  from the European  Commission  that in so far as the
proposals  involve  the  grant of State  Aid by the UK  Government,  such aid is
compatible  with the common  market.  The  Secretary of State expects to receive
this notification by mid 2004.  Furthermore,  the Secretary of State is entitled
not to proceed with the  Proposed  Restructuring  if, in her opinion,  the Group
will not be viable in all reasonably  foreseeable  conditions  without access to
additional  financing  beyond that which is  committed  and will  continue to be
available when required.

If  for  any  reason   British  Energy  is  unable  to  implement  the  Proposed
Restructuring  it may be unable to meet its financial  obligations  as they fall
due in which case it may have to take  appropriate  insolvency  proceedings.  If
British Energy were to commence insolvency proceedings,  distributions,  if any,
to unsecured  creditors may represent only a small  fraction of their  unsecured
liabilities  and it is  highly  unlikely  that  there  would  be any  return  to
shareholders.  Even if the Proposed  Restructuring is completed,  the return, if
any,  for  shareholders  will  represent  a very  significant  dilution of their
existing interests.

This  document  contains  certain  "forward-looking"  statements  as  defined in
Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements with
respect to British  Energy's  business  plans,  the performance of its stations,
electricity  prices and other matters that are not historical  facts  concerning
the  business  operations,  financial  condition  and results of  operations  of
British Energy. These forward-looking statements typically contain words such as
"intends",  "expects",  "anticipates",  "estimates", "aim", "believe", "assume",
"should"  and words of similar  import,  which are  predictions  of or  indicate
future events or future trends. These  forward-looking  statements involve known
and unknown  risks,  uncertainties  and other  factors,  which are in some cases
beyond the control of British Energy and may cause actual results or performance
to differ  materially from those expressed or implied from such  forward-looking
statements.  British Energy has identified some important factors that may cause
such  differences in British Energy's Form 20-F annual report for the year ended
31 March 2003 filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                                        Appendix

Slide 10 of Presentation on third quarter results
Financial Performance - EBITDA - Analysis

                                           3 months ended 31   9 months ended 31
                                               December 2003       December 2003
                                                        GBPm                GBPm

Loss after tax and exceptional items                     (3)                (82)
Interest                                                  29                  54
Revalorisation                                            40                 139
Tax                                                      (7)                   1
Depreciation                                              11                  36
Gain on sale                                            (37)                (37)
AmerGen loss/(profit)                                     21                (22)
Net exceptional credits                                 (28)                (47)
EBITDA continuing activities                              26                  42

Capex included in operating costs                         13                  60



Note:  This  table  does not take  account  of the  impact of the  revised  BNFL
contracts,  which  would  be one of the  financial  adjustments  to be  made  on
Restructuring.


Net cash flow from operating activities                   27                   1




Management  will host a conference  call for analysts and  investors  today - 12
March 2004 - at 1600 UK time (1100 - Eastern Standard time).

The  conference  call can be  accessed by  dialling,  UK dial in: 0845 146 2004,
International dial in: + 44 (0) 1452 569 393, US dial in: 1 866 434 1089.

For further information please contact:

Paul Heward British Energy                     01355 262201

Andrew Dowler Financial Dynamics               020 7831 3113

                                   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: March 12 2004                        BRITISH ENERGY PLC

                                           By:____Paul Heward____

                                           Name:  Paul Heward
                                           Title: Director - Investor Relations