Oct 31 (Reuters) - CMS Energy ( CMS/PB ) on Thursday beat

Wall Street estimates for third-quarter profit, as the U.S.

utility rides a record power consumption wave in the country.

U.S. power consumption will rise to record highs in 2024 and

2025, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in a

recent report, citing demand for artificial intelligence

technology and data centres, and as homes and businesses use

more electricity for heat and transportation.

The company said it had contracted around 230 megawatt power

for large data centre expansions.

The Jackson, Michigan-based firm posted adjusted profit of

84 cents per share for the quarter, beating analysts' average

estimate 78 cents per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

A nearly 2% drop in operating expenses and a 4% rise in

revenue helped CMS post higher quarterly profit.

For the full-year 2025, it expects adjusted earnings of

$3.52 to $3.58 per share, compared with estimates of $3.59.

"We continue to make needed investments as outlined in our

electric Reliability Roadmap by burying wires, installing

sensors and adding other technology to build a smarter and

stronger grid," said Garrick Rochow, CEO of CMS Energy ( CMS/PB ).

The utility also reaffirmed its 2024 adjusted earnings

forecast of $3.29 to $3.35 per share.

(Reporting by Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika

Syamnath)