The utility, which runs Britain's energy systems, also raised its full-year growth outlook for earnings per share.

It said underlying operating profit from continuing operations rose to 2.1 billion pounds in the six months ended Sept. 30, from 1.4 billion pounds a year earlier, helped by earnings from its electricity distribution business. ($1 = 0.8781 pounds)

(Reporting by Muhammed Husain in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza)