British Energy, the UK's largest nuclear power plant operator, said that its electricity output fell by 17 per cent in the second quarter. A glitch at Sizewell B, the nuclear power station, triggered blackouts that hit up to 500,000 homes in May. Figures yesterday showed that the company's entire electricity output was only 11.4Terawatt hours (TWh), down from 13.8 TWh in the same quarter last year.

Lower nuclear power output, which fell from 13.0 TWh in the second quarter of 2007 to 9.5 TWh in the same period this year, was partly offset by an increase in production at its coal-fired power plant at Eggborough from 0.8 TWh to 1.9TWh.

Declining output was in line with expectations, the company said. Its power generation has been limited by planned maintenance and long-term repairs. Yesterday, half of its eight nuclear power stations were running.

Operational problems have made the sale of the Government's stake in the nuclear group more difficult, deterring potential buyers.

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