July 31 (Reuters) - U.S. utility Exelon ( EXC ) narrowly

beat Wall Street estimates for second-quarter profit on

Thursday, helped by higher electric and gas distribution rates

in its PECO unit.

Electric utilities are fielding massive requests for new

power capacity as Big Tech scours the country for viable

locations for new AI data centers. According to the U.S. Energy

Information Administration, domestic power consumption is

expected to reach record highs in 2025 and 2026.

The S&P index tracking utilities rose 3.5% in the

quarter ended June 30.

Exelon ( EXC ) reported overall revenue of $5.43 billion for the

second quarter, compared with analysts' average estimate of

$5.38 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Earnings at its PECO unit, Pennsylvania's largest electric

and natural gas energy company, rose about 51% to $136 million,

during the reported quarter.

However, earnings at its Commonwealth Edison unit (ComEd),

the largest electric utility in Illinois, fell 15.6% to $228

million.

Exelon ( EXC ) serves more than 10.5 million customers through six

fully-regulated transmission and distribution utilities.

The company reaffirmed its full-year 2025 adjusted profit

forecast of $2.64 to $2.74 per share. Analysts were expecting

$2.69 per share.

The Chicago-based company posted adjusted operating earnings

of 39 cents per share for the April to June period, compared

with analysts' estimate of 37 cents.