EDF Energy bought British Energy to gain access to sites for nuclear new build. It subsequently sold a 20% stake to Centrica, better known to the public as Scottish Gas or British Gas. They aim to build new nuclear at Hinkley Point, Sizewell, Heysham, Hartlepool, and Bradwell.

German RWE, in Britain better known as RWE npower, bought sites at Kirksanton and Braystones in Cumbria for new nuclear. In addi­tion, RWE formed a joint-venture with another German utility com­pany, E.on, under the name Horizon Nuclear Power, to develop nuclear power at Wylfa and Oldbury.