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EDF UK chief executive calls for an 'electric Britain' to cut energy costs and import dependency

By Eve

Speaking at Cornwall Insight's CI Live 2026 conference, EDF UK chief executive Simone Rossi argued that Britain must move beyond decarbonising power generation and replace fossil fuel use with domestically produced electricity. He said the UK now imports more than 40% of its energy requirements, and that total primary energy consumption has fallen by approximately 1,000TWh since its 2005 peak, even as the economy grew by around 30% in real terms and the population by approximately 15%. Rossi also noted that the UK has invested heavily in electricity infrastructure over two decades while electricity consumption has fallen.

Why it matters

A senior utility voice making the case for wider electrification supports the demand-side argument for transport charging, which could strengthen the policy and investment backdrop for CPOs and those bidding for charging work. It also signals that better use of renewable capacity is likely to remain central to energy strategy debates.

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Original title
“EDF chief calls for an ‘electric Britain’ to tackle rising energy costs and import dependency”
Published
4 November 2026

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