UK energy consumption falling, says EDF as profits slip

A rise in energy efficiency led to the biggest drop in UK electricity consumption in three years for EDF.   Both domestic and commercial customers cut their electricity usage in 2017, leading to an overall drop of 1.9pc, while gas consumption fell 2.6pc as milder weather meant customers used their central heating less.  Domestic energy use has been in decline nationally since 2010, despite a growing population and consumers using an increasing number of electrical appliances. Successive regulations in recent years, such as the phasing out of incandescent light bulbs, have forced appliance manufacturers to make their products less wasteful.