EDF to buy British Energy

[les83]

Announced today that EDF are to buy British Energy who run 8 of Britain's nuclear power stations. For me it says a lot about the sad state of Britain today that our power stations are being bought by a firm owned and run by the French government :bitchy:

[TheGreenMan]

Does this mean EDF prices will go up or come down a bit?

[Mibbes Aye]

Announced today that EDF are to buy British Energy who run 8 of Britain's nuclear power stations. For me it says a lot about the sad state of Britain today that our power stations are being bought by a firm owned and run by the French government :bitchy:

To be honest I don't see why it should necessarily be a problem. EDF already are a very big player in supplying gas and electricity in the UK and also produce to an extent (coal, gas and renewable I believe).

Obviously their production expertise is based around nuclear though and that's why it fits. There isn't really a private sector as such in producing nuclear energy and therefore state-run or state-led companies seem to be the only viable option.

There's a commitment to expanding the role of nuclear energy and this is a more efficient option than a UK government-run company doing it.

[hibsdaft]

Does this mean EDF prices will go up or come down a bit?

don't know the answer to that, but in France price rises on electricity have been capped at 2% for the year (compared to recent rises of what, around 25-30% over here?) by the government, who are able to control prices because the firm is state-run as mentioned above.

in the uk we are victims of the free market (a familiar theme in recent weeks it seems) and privatisation.