May 6 (Reuters) - WEC Energy ( WEC ) reported a

first-quarter profit on Tuesday that rose 16.4% on the back of

increased power consumption by residential, industrial and

commercial customers.

Power consumption is expected to reach record highs in 2025

and 2026, driven by AI and data centers as well as residential

and commercial customers, according to the U.S. Energy

Information Administration.

WEC Energy's ( WEC ) natural gas deliveries in Wisconsin, excluding

natgas used for power generation, rose 15.5% in the first

quarter.

The company provides natural gas to customers via its units

We Power and Wisconsin Public Service.

Residential power use rose by 5.5% and total retail

deliveries increased by nearly 3%, WEC Energy ( WEC ) said.

The company's first-quarter operating revenue rose 17.5% to

$3.15 billion, compared with analysts' average expectation of

$2.82 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

WEC Energy's ( WEC ) total operating expenses rose 18.5% to $2.21

billion, while interest expenses rose 16.1%.

The company, which provides electricity and gas to nearly

4.7 million customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and

Minnesota, reaffirmed its annual profit forecast.

Milwaukee-based WEC Energy's ( WEC ) net income rose to $724.2

million, or $2.27 per share, in the first quarter, from $622.3

million, or $1.97 per share, a year earlier.