Belfast-based power group Viridian has reported a 9% drop in first half pre-tax profits to £40.9m sterling, mainly due to higher interest charges from investments following liberalisation of the Irish energy market.
The company invested more than £150m during the six months to the end of September in electricity an energy operations in the Republic and Northern Ireland.
Viridian aims to start operating its Dublin-based generator project Huntstown by the winter of 2002.
The company said there was strong growth in its SX3 software outsourcing business and its Open+Direct financial services division, both of which contributed to a 4% rise in operating profits to £50.4m.
