Growth in infrastructure operator NTR's waste and renewable energy businesses last year saw the company's operating profit, excluding the impact of losses in start-up businesses, increase by 34 per cent to €24.9 million in 2003.
NTR said its group turnover climbed by 47.3 per cent to €211 million in 2003, and basic earnings per share increased by 10.8 per cent to 75.1 cent.
Its roads division reported a 3.8 per cent increase in traffic volume to 35.6 million at its West-Link and East-Link Bridges as well as the opening of a second West-Link Bridge last September.
In is waste division, NTR's Greenstar revenues increased by 36 per cent to €75.9 million, while profits after tax were up 12 per cent to €8.2 million. Airtricity reported its first year of profit in 2003 with an after tax profit of €1.3 million.
"In 2003, NTR continued to deliver on its objective of being the leading Irish based developer, financier and operator of public infrastructure," chief executive, Mr Jim Barry said. "Our well balanced portfolio of established, developing and start-up infrastructure related businesses provides a solid platform for sustained growth in shareholder value over the medium term"