In a previous report (Ehrenheim et al. (1991) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1059, 106-110) it was shown that membrane-localized protons inhibit energy utilization at the Photosystem II reaction centre. We report here that the stimulation of PS II energy utilization due to the removal of such protons by nigericin is dependent on the wavelength of the actinic modulated light. Maximal fluorescence is not affected by nigericin. The effectiveness of the different uncouplers is related to their lipophilicity. These observations led us to conclude that electron-transport-dependent localization of protons in the membrane lowers the efficiency of energy transfer to the PS II reaction centre. It is also shown that the effect of uncouplers on PS II is not related to inhibition of electron recycling around PS II or cation-dependent energy spillover.