EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We consent to the inclusion in this registration statement on Form S-1 of our reports dated July 15, 1997 on our audits of the financial statements and financial statement schedules of Yorkshire Electricity Group plc and Yorkshire Power Group Limited. We also consent to the references to us under the captions "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and "Experts". Deloitte & Touche Leeds United Kingdom May 1, 1998