Vienna - Austrian energy provider EVN AG on Thursday reported its net profit decreased by 14.4 per cent to 190 million euros (278.8 million dollars) in the first three quarters of its 2007/08 business year due to higher primary energy prices.

EVN's earnings from operations fell to 165.4 million euros between October 2007 and June 2008, 11.5 per cent less than in the same period of the previous business year.

Lower temperatures helped to collect 8.3 per cent more in revenues, the company said. Sales rose to 1.84 billion euros so far this year, up from 1.70 billion euros.

"On the basis of developments in the first three quarters of 2007/08, it will probably not be possible in the 2007/08 financial year as a whole for EVN to match the record performance achieved in the preceding year," CEO Burkhard Hofer said.

In 2006/2007, the company posted a net profit of 227 million euros.

Besides rising primary energy prices, factors including higher personnel costs and delays in the company's water and waste treatment projects were affecting results, Hofer said.

EVN, which is also active in several Central and Eastern European countries, is currently negotiating with the Albanian government for a concession to build three power plants on the Devolli river. (dpa)