CALGARY -- TransCanada Corp. (TSX:TRP) said Friday it earned $412 million in its latest quarter as revenue grew nearly 30 per cent compared with a year ago.

The company behind the controversial Keystone XL project said the profit amounted to 58 cents per share for the quarter ended March 31, compared with a profit of $446 million or 63 cents per share a year ago.

Revenue increased to $2.88 billion, up from $2.25 billion a year ago.

Excluding certain one-time items, TransCanada said its comparable earnings for the quarter came in a $422 million or 60 cents per share, up from $370 million or 52 cents per share a year ago.

The company attributed the increase to higher earnings from its NGTL System, Keystone, Bruce Power, U.S. power, and natural gas storage operations.

The Keystone XL pipeline, owned by TransCanada Corp. (TSX:TRP), would take oil from Alberta to refineries and ships on the Gulf Coast in Texas, but has met with widespread criticism from environmental opponents.

The company was dealt a set back last month when the U.S. State Department said it needed more time to decide on the TransCanada Corp. project while a court case in Nebraska is worked out. The U.S. regulatory process is now in its sixth year.