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


                                July 20, 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: Section 198 Notice  20 July, 2004





                                British Energy plc


UK COMPANIES ACT 1985 - SECTIONS 198 - 203 - British Energy plc (the "Company")

This notification relates to issued common stock of the Company ("shares") and
is given in fulfilment of the obligations imposed by sections 198 to 203 of the
Companies Act 1985 (the "Act").

The company was notified that as at close of business on 15 July 2004, the
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc ("GS Inc") of 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004, USA,
was interested, by attribution only, in a total of 24,578,577 shares.

Of these 24,578,577 shares:


  - The interest in 14.965,852 shares arose from the interest held by Goldman,
    Sachs & Co. ("GS&Co"), a direct subsidiary of GS Inc, acting as custodian.
    These shares are, or will be, registered in the name of Goldman Sachs
    Securities (Nominees), Limited.


  - The interest in 4,380,225 shares arose from the interest held by GS&Co.
    acting as custodian of 58,403 American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs").  These
    ADRs are, or will be, held at the Depositary Trust Company of New York.
    ("DTC").


  - The interest in 7,500 shares arose from a beneficial interest by GS&Co, in
    100 ADRs.  These ADRs are, or will be, held at the DTC.


  - The interest in 5,225,000 shares arose from a beneficial interest held by
    Goldman Sachs International, a direct subsidiary of GS Inc, these shares
    are, or will be, registered at CREST in account CREPTEMP.


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:  July 20, 2004                       BRITISH ENERGY PLC

                                           By:____Paul Heward____

                                           Name:  Paul Heward
                                           Title: Director - Investor Relations