The company's earnings before interest payments and tax rose 0.6 percent to 8.929 billion euros in the period, while sales hit 39.391 billion euros, a rise of 10.3 percent.

Net debt, a number closely watched markets, rose 2.7 percent from six months earlier to 46.135 billion euros.

"We are pleased with the results achieved by the Group in the first half of the year," Enel Chief Executive Officer Fulvio Conti said in a statement.

"Growth in Russia, the development of Enel Green Power as well as good results achieved by distribution and sales in the Italian market enabled us to record a positive half period," he also said.

Conti added that the company is able "to confirm all 2011 financial guidance previously announced to investors".

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011