It said that while it remains supportive of the “simpler, clearer, fairer” objectives behind the Ofgem reforms, the changes that SSE itself had undertaken in the past two years “mean it is in a relatively good position to implement as effectively as possible the new licence conditions”.
The Scottish Hydro owner said it would invest an estimated £1.5bn across 2013 and 2014 according to a trading update ahead of its annual meeting released today.
The Perth-based firm said its year had got off to an “encouraging start” and said it was in a good position to focus” on its “key operational and investment priorities for the year” including achieving further improvements in standards of customer service.”
In the trading update SSE said electricity and gas customer numbers across the UK and Ireland dipped to 9.46 million during the three months to the end of June dropping from 9.47 million a year ago.
Electricity consumption fell slightly, while gas demand was unchanged on last year.
The average consumption of electricity by SSE’s household customers in Great Britain dropped slightly to 920kWh, compared with 940kWh while the average consumption of gas by SSE’s household customers in Great Britain was estimated to be 96kWh, the same as in the previous year.
Alistair Phillips-Davies, chief executive of SSE, said: “SSE’s year has got off to an encouraging start, with a number of important issues, such as the dispute relating to the Greater Gabbard wind farm, being resolved and solid performance in operations and investments.
“This means we are in a good position to focus on our key operational and investment priorities for the year, including achieving further improvements in standards of customer service and further additions through investment to the asset base of the company.
The supplier said that it was “confident” of achieving its financial goals and predicted “an above-inflation increase in the dividend”.
It will publish its results for the six months to 30 September 2013 on 13 November 2013.
In April SSE was fined £10.5m by Ofgem for “prolonged and extensive” mis-selling of electricity and gas. This related to telephone, in-store and doorstep sales and was described by SSE as “deeply regretful”.