NTR breezes to 63% profit rise

NTR, the public infrastructure group, has reported a 63% rise in first-half profits, helped by growth at its wind farm division, Airtricity.

The company said profits had risen by €12.6 million, while earnings per share jumped by nearly 60% to 45.7 cents. Group turnover was ahead by 30% at €125.8m.

NTR, formerly National Toll Roads, said the increase in profits came mainly from Airtricity, which sold two wind farms earlier this year, adding 4m to NTR's profits. However, finance director Michael Walsh said excluding this gain, the other parts of the business had a good first-half.