Dutch power firm Nuon saw first quarter sales fall 4% because of the relatively warm weather, the company announced on Monday. Turnover fell from €1.8bn to €1.7bn. Net profit, however, was up 55% at €318m, due to lower debt servicing charges and savings on staffing costs.

In particular, net gas sales were down 21% but this was largely offset by a 22% increase in electricity sales.
Financie director Doed Vierstra told ANP news agency that Nuon had lost ‘several thousand customers,’ in the first quarter. ‘It was a small drop, but competition is increasing,’ he said.