Aug 1 (Reuters) -

Electric and gas utility Consolidated Edison ( ED ) beat

second-quarter profit estimates on Thursday, as customers

cranked up air conditioners and refrigerators during hotter

weather.

The company reported an adjusted profit of 59 cents per

share for the quarter ended June 30, compared to analysts'

average estimate of 57 cents per share, according to LSEG data.

Con Edison's quarterly total operating revenue saw a nearly

9.4% rise to $3.22 billion, from $2.94 billion in the year-ago

quarter.

The United States saw a heat wave stretch from central to

eastern portions of the country, boosting earnings for

utilities.

The company did, however, see 13.9% higher operations and

maintenance expenses from the year-ago quarter.

Con Edison reaffirmed its full-year per-share earnings

forecast of $5.20 to $5.40.

The company said the New York State Department of Public

Service supported its subsidiary O&R's electric and gas rate

cases in May.

Rate case proceedings determine the amount customers need to

pay for electricity, natural gas, private water and steam

services provided by regulated utilities.

O&R provides electric service in southeastern New York and

northern New Jersey, and gas service in southeastern New York.

Another Con Edison subsidiary, CECONY, which services New

York City, Westchester County and parts of Manhattan, sees

decrease in average annual growth of peak gas demand in its

service area, seeing a growth of 0.1% for 2025 to 2029 from an

earlier growth of 0.8% between 2024 to 2028.

"We expect electric volumes to grow in the coming years, as

New Yorkers transition from fossil fuels to heat their buildings

and power their vehicles," chief financial officer Kirk Andrews

said in a statement.