Energy giant EDF sees profits surge

French utility firm EDF has reported its profits nearly trebled last year compared with 2010 when sluggish demand in the wake of the global recession forced it to set aside billions of euro.

The state-controlled utility's bottom line of 3 billion euro (£2.5 billion) was also helped by an increase in its nuclear output in France and Britain where energy produced rose by 3% and 15% respectively.