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


                                 August 26, 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 dated 26 August 2004


26 August 2004



British Energy Plc

Section 198 Notice received from Deutsche Bank AG on 25 August 2004



In accordance with Section 198-202 of the UK Companies Act 1985, we are writing
on behalf of Deutsche Bank AG to inform you that on the basis that the relevant
issued shared capital of your company is 620,362,444 ordinary shares, Deutsche
Bank AG, and its subsidiary companies had a notifiable interest in 20,016,212
ordinary shares of British Energy Plc, amounting to 3.23%, as at close of
business 06 August 2004.  We further advise that Deutsche Bank AG, and its
subsidiary companies had a notifiable interest in 24,902,307 ordinary shares of
British Energy Plc, amounting to 4.01%, as at close of business 18 August 2004.
Part of this holding may relate to hedging arrangements for customer
transactions.


                                   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:  August 26, 2004                     BRITISH ENERGY PLC

                                           By:____John Searles____

                                           Name:  John Searles
                                           Title: Director - Investor Relations