Finnish energy provider Fortum has reported healthy first quarter results, with pre-tax profits reaching E492 million, up some 27% on the same period a year earlier.

The group’s sales reached E1.34 billion, against E1.33 billion in 2005, thanks partly to added consumption due to the colder-than-average weather seen over the winter in the countries where Fortum operates.

Unsurprisingly the power generation arm of the business saw especially strong results for the quarter, with its achieved price for the quarter up by 17% on last year to E37.1/MWh.