Northern Irish electricity company Viridian Group reported a 15 per cent jump in full-year profits this morning.
The business, operates the Huntstown power plant in north Dublin, is the only one in the province licensed to sell both electricity and gas and has made great strides in winning new customers in the Republic.
Earnings, which were at the top end of analysts' expectations, were also helped by the return to profitability of Viridian's Sx3 IT services division.
For the 12 months ended March 31st, Viridian's pretax profit was £80.5 million sterling, up from £69.8 million a year earlier, and towards the top end of forecasts which ranged from £73.7 million to £81.4 million.
The company is paying a total dividend of 32.52 pence a share, a 3.5 pct increase.
Chairman Mr Philip Rogerson said the resolution of the company's tussle with the electricity regulator over transmission and distribution price control provides "a defined regulatory environment" for the bulk of the Viridian business.
AFP