British Energy is the UK’s largest power generator providing more than 20 per cent of the UK’s electricity.

Primarily a nuclear company with a portfolio of 26 reactors worldwide – including some in joint venture ownership – we now operate in three countries with extensive interests in America and Canada the largest group of private sector-owned nuclear assets in the world.

In order to provide the flexibility that the market demands in the UK, we have added a 200MW coal-fired plant at Eggborough to our eight nuclear power stations in England and Scotland. We are also investigating in renewable energy through the development of wind farms in the UK and Canada.

British Energy’s education policy has gone high–tech and is now reaching a worldwide audience through the launch of two new CD-ROMs coincided with children’s pages being made available on the British Energy website.

Power to Learn links to the National Curriculum and is aimed initially at key stage 2 pupils (7 to 11-year-olds) and key stage 3 (11-14-year-olds) and has been used as part of teacher training.

The CD-ROMs, which is supplied free to schools, contains information on electricity and interactive opportunities including;

Michael Faraday & the discovery of electricity
See how Michael Faraday discovered electricity using a coil of wire and a magnet. Graphics explain the generation of electricity today using the same principles that Faraday discovered.

How to make an electrical circuit
Children can make a simple circuit on screen using a battery, switch, lamp and wire to make the bulb light up.

Nuclear Know-how
Nuclear know-how explains in very simple terms how nuclear electricity is generated. Electrons, protons and neutrons are represented by animated cartoon characters. The whole process from the splitting of the atom through to the working of a turbo generator is covered.

Mr Brightly & Friends
Introduce Mr Brightly and his friends to your pupils. He will lead them through the magical world of electricity. Introducing them to the power station workers, explaining how the station works and teaching them about personal and electrical safety.

The Waste Quiz
Your children can explore the complex issues surrounding the environmental impact of electricity generation in the waste quiz. A web based interactive game in three levels covering all fuel sources.

The Energy Game
The Energy Game examines the environment, social and economic impacts of generating electricity from a variety of different energy sources. Through team-working exercises, students can explore the controversial issues and decision-making processes associated with satisfying the ever-increasing demand for electricity. The game also looks at energy conservation as a means of satisfying this growing demand.