Big six supplier SSE lost 70,000 domestic customers over the three months to the end of June, a trading update has revealed.
The company ended the period with 5.71 million accounts.
Nevertheless, SSE says its outlook for the year “remains unchanged” from the one given in May. This is also despite lower than forecast renewable generation.
Renewable output over the quarter was 1,794GWh, with the shortfall equivalent to less than 4 per cent of its annual forecast.
Furthermore, the company reiterated its intention to recommend a full-year dividend of 80p per share, in line with the five-year dividend plan set out in May 2018.
SSE chief executive Alistair Phillips-Davies admitted the first part of the financial year has brought some “short-term challenges” but said the key months of the year lie ahead.
He added: “I am confident we will make good progress in delivering against our strategic priorities, including the five- year dividend plan out to 2023.
“The fact the UK has become the first major economy to legislate for net zero emissions by 2050 is a key development in the fight against climate change and reinforces SSE’s strategic focus on regulated electricity networks and renewable energy, and our commitment to creating value through the low-carbon transition.”
SSE’s pre-tax profits for 2018/19 saw a 38 per cent slump to £725.7 million.
Towards the end of 2018 the proposed merger with Innogy’s Npower was scrapped, with Katie Bickerstaffe, who had been chief executive designate for the new retailer, revealed as SSE Energy Services’ executive chair in May.
She joins Gordon Boyd who is joining the retail arm as interim chief financial officer.
Last month, SSE proposed to close the remaining operational units of its Fiddler’s Ferry power station in Warrington, Cheshire. The trading update noted that if Fiddler’s Ferry is closed, SSE will no longer have any coal generation in its portfolio.