One of the big six energy suppliers in the UK, SSE are home to countless customers up and down the country. Formally known as Scottish Hydro and SSE Hydro before they were rebranded simply as SSE, the company remain one of the leaders in UK energy. Unfortunately, for all their success, they don’t report particularly well on their own business.
That means for customers or those just interest in the UK energy market, catching up on the latest SSE news is something of a hassle. Well, in this post we’re going to bring together all the biggest stories in one place. Let’s dig in.
SSE Sheds Customers in Blow to Company
In what must surely be a blow to SSE, the company lost 50,000 customers in the last 9 months of 2016, leaving it with just over 8 million customers. At the same time, the company struggled to keep up their renewable energy supply as smaller energy suppliers like Ovo stepped in and scooped up customers tired of Big Six energy suppliers.
Despite a difficult year for the company, SSE said that it would continue to deliver steadily rising dividends to shareholders and remained on track to return to growth with earnings per share of 120p for the full year.
The decline in renewable energy generation, meanwhile, is a worry for the company. A 20% decline in power generation was noted as lower windows slowed turbines and dry weather sapped hydroelectric capacity. That’s a warning to energy suppliers who don’t diversify their green energy generation.
SSE Erect First Turbine at N. Ireland Location
SSE have erected the first Enercon E-92 2.35MW turbine at its 18.8MW Slieve Divena 2 wind farm in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. It’s the first of eight that will be built over the next few months, and will connect to the grid shortly thereafter, priding power to tens of thousands of Northern Irish homes.
SSE project manager for Slieve Divena 2 Pat Tierney said: “The erection of the first turbine is a big milestone for the project, and we’re delighted to reach this point within our timescale targets.
“We’re now looking forward to getting the rest of the turbines up and running safely, as well as the site’s first export to the grid.”
SSE Announce Review of Peterhead Operations
The future of the iconic Peterhead power plant in Scotland are reportedly under review as SSE announce that operations there are being closely studied. Around 90 members of staff would face losing their jobs at the company as SSE tightens its belt after a tough 2016.
SSE have declined to comment on the matter, but they have revealed that the reports are true. Banff and Buchan MP, Elidh Whiteford, said the move had serious implications and that she was seeking “urgent talks with SSE and staff”.
She said: “This has serious implications for Peterhead power station and I will be seeking urgent talks with SSE and staff representatives to clarify the implications of this decision.”