Enel H1 EBITDA 7.405 bln euros, up 66 pct

MILAN, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Italian power company Enel SpA (ENEI.MI) posted first-half core profit of 7.405 billion euros ($11.57 billion) on Friday, up 66 percent from the year before.

A Reuters poll of 12 analysts had forecast average core profit, or earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), of 7.059 billion euros on average. The range was 6.54 billion euros to 7.389 billion euros.

Enel, Europe's fourth-biggest power company by market value, had net profit of 2.851 billion euros, up 43.8 percent from 2007, the company said in a statement.

Net debt at the end of June was 51.291 billion euros, down from 55.8 billion euros at the end of 2007.

Enel will propose an interim dividend of 0.20 euro a share, unchanged from 2007.

Enel forecast improved 2008 results and foresaw improving its net financial position. (Reporting by Ian Simpson)