EDP sees 2008 capex 3.5 bln euros, about double 2007

LISBON, July 30 (Reuters) - Energias de Portugal (EDP) (EDP.LS: Quote, Profile, Research) expects to almost double capital investment this year from 2007 levels to 3.5 billion euros ($5.46 billion), chief executive Anotonio Mexia said on Wednesday.

He said about 80 percent of the capital expenditure was meant for new power generation, including wind and hydroelectric plants.

Mexia spoke to journalists after Portugal's main electric utility posted a 67 percent rise in first-half net profit to 703 million euros. (Reporting by Sergio Goncalves, writing by Andrei Khalip)