Alliant Energy second quarter profit surges as summer heat drives power use

Aug 7 (Reuters) - U.S. utility Alliant Energy LNT.O reported a rise in second quarter profit on Thursday, lifted by strong electricity demand amid warmer weather.

Hotter temperatures between April and June drove up use of cooling appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators, boosting power demand for utilities like Alliant.

The Madison, Wisconsin-based company said heating degree days — a measure of energy needs for space heating — increased across its service areas in Iowa and Wisconsin.

Revenue from its electric utility business rose to $851 million in the second quarter, up from $789 million a year earlier. Revenue from the gas segment climbed 10%.

Alliant supplies electricity to about 1 million customers and natural gas to 427,000 customers in the two states.

Lower operating expenses also helped the company, with costs falling more than 3% to $738 million.

The company said its net income attributable to shareholders rose to $174 million, or 68 cents per share, in the quarter ended June 30, from $87 million or 34 cents per share a year earlier.