When it comes to business energy consumption, not all industries are created equal. Some sectors naturally require more electricity and gas to operate due to the scale or nature of their processes. Understanding which industries consume the most energy is useful for benchmarking, identifying areas for efficiency improvements, and shaping corporate sustainability strategies.
Here are the top 10 energy-consuming industries in the UK, based on recent government and industry data.
Top 10 industries that use the most energy
1. Manufacturing
Annual usage estimate: ~80 TWh
The manufacturing sector is by far the UK’s largest industrial consumer of energy. From metal refining to chemical production and food processing, the need for high-temperature operations, heavy machinery and round-the-clock production drives substantial energy usage.
2. Transport and logistics
Annual usage estimate: ~65 TWh (excluding consumer fuel)
Transport operators, logistics hubs, and freight services rely heavily on diesel, electricity, and aviation fuel. Energy use is high in warehousing, refrigeration, and vehicle fleets—especially HGVs and air freight.
3. Commercial and public services
Annual usage estimate: ~60 TWh
Offices, retail outlets, schools, hospitals and public buildings collectively account for a significant portion of national energy use. Heating, lighting, air conditioning, and IT equipment are major contributors.
4. Construction
Annual usage estimate: ~20 TWh
From operating heavy machinery on-site to running lighting, compressors and temporary heating in remote areas, the construction sector depends heavily on electricity and diesel.
5. Agriculture and horticulture
Annual usage estimate: ~15 TWh
This sector’s energy use is driven by cold storage, greenhouse heating, irrigation, and mechanised farming. As the demand for locally grown produce rises, so too does the energy footprint of agricultural operations.
6. Food and beverage industry
Annual usage estimate: ~14 TWh
Producing, refrigerating, packaging and transporting food all demand significant energy. Factories, cold chains, and large-scale baking or brewing facilities are among the most intensive users.
7. Mining and quarrying
Annual usage estimate: ~11 TWh
Extraction and processing of minerals and fossil fuels is energy-heavy. Large equipment, crushing, pumping and material handling all contribute to high usage levels.
8. Water supply and waste management
Annual usage estimate: ~9 TWh
Water treatment plants, sewage processing, and recycling facilities operate 24/7 and rely on large volumes of electricity to run pumps, centrifuges, and filtration systems.
9. Chemical and pharmaceutical production
Annual usage estimate: ~8 TWh
These industries require complex and controlled manufacturing environments, including high-temperature processing, distillation, and chemical reactions—leading to consistently high energy demand.
10. IT and data centres
Annual usage estimate: ~7 TWh
With the growth of cloud computing and AI, data centres have become one of the fastest-growing energy consumers. Their need for continuous cooling and power makes them major electricity users.
Final thoughts
High energy consumption doesn’t necessarily equate to inefficiency—but it does present opportunities. Whether you’re in manufacturing or IT, switching to a more competitive business energy tariff can deliver significant cost savings. Businesses in high-usage sectors should regularly compare energy deals to ensure they’re getting the best rates.