SSE has announced a rise in its pre-tax profits for the six months to 30 September 2014.

The profit comes after the energy firm made a "significant" investment in the electricity network, it said. However, it added that it did make a loss in its energy supply business.

For the six months to the end of September, preliminary results reveal SSE's pre-tax profit increased by 4.6% to £370.3m. Its energy supply business reported an operating loss of £16.9m, saying a "sustained period of unusually warm weather" and a competitive energy market was to blame.

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Elsewhere, the company's networks business posted a 4.7% in its operating profit to £458.4m, reflecting the "continuing major investment in the infrastructure, pipes and wires used to transmit and distribute energy to homes and businesses".

SSE also reported an 83% drop in operating profit in its wholesale division to £26.7m; this was due to a significant fall (86%) in electricity generation profit.

Alistair Phillips-Davies, Chief Executive, commented: "In tough market conditions we have been able to deliver solid business results at the same time as being a responsible company that does the right thing by its employees and its customers."

(JP/MH)