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


                                February 9, 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: Holding(s) in Company dated 9 February, 2004


9 February 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").



We hereby notify you that as at close of business on 5 February 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 34,000,828 shares.



Of these 34,000,828 shares:



-        The interest in 22,740,201 shares arose from the interest held by
Goldman, Sachs & Co. ("GS&Co."), acting as custodian.  These shares are, or will
be, registered in the name of Goldman Sachs Securities (Nominees), Limited.



-        The interest in 7,504,800 share arose from the interest held by GS&Co.
acting as custodian of 100,064 American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs").  These
ADRs are, or will be, held at the Depositary Trust Company of New York ("DTC").



-        The interest in 15,000 shares arose from the beneficial interest held
by GS&Co. of 200 ADRs.  These ADRs are, or will be, held at the DTC.



-        The interest in 3,740,827 shares arose from a beneficial interest held
by Goldman Sachs International.  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:  February 9, 2004                    BRITISH ENERGY PLC

                                           By:____Paul Heward____

                                           Name:  Paul Heward
                                           Title: Director - Investor Relations