Prague  - The Czech energy giant CEZ said Thursday its net profit rose by 67.2 per cent to 13.06 billion koruny (801.5 million dollars) in the second quarter of 2008, from 7.81 billion in the same period last year.

The state-controlled energy firm's April-June sales were up by 7 per cent year-on-year from 39.04 billion koruny to 41.82 billion koruny.

A hike in wholesale electricity prices, savings and an increased share of nuclear power generation were behind the strong results, the company said.

CEZ also revised its 2008 profit estimate, expecting to make 48.6 billion koruny this year. In 2007, the group netted 42.76 billion koruny.

The Czech Republic's most profitable company has been investing across the former Eastern Bloc, buying energy firms in Bulgaria, Romania and Poland. CEZ also formed a joint venture with Hungary's MOL. (dpa)