National Grid’s (LSE:NG.) half-year results come in the middle of a maelstrom of warnings from the power distributor about blackouts this winter.
The numbers will far less dramatic. UK Energy Distribution is expected to be equally weighted half-on-half in the current year, with New England Power Company being less weighted in the second half.
To ease fears about high energy costs, National Grid has upped spending in support funds and consumer incentives, including £50mln announced on 1 November.
Whether that is to a PR exercise to deflect attention from its profitability will be apparent on Thursday.
As expected, the company completed the sale of its former subsidiary, PPL Corporation for US$3.8bn in the first quarter, with the full six-month contribution of National Grid Electricity Distribution, acquired in June 2021, also set to feature in the results.
Operating profits rose 11% last year including a 23% increase in its UK Gas Transmission and Metering segment, which is due to be sold by the end of the calendar year.