SSE eyes significantly higher H1 pre-tax profit

28th Sep 2009 07:32

Scottish and Southern Energy said it expects adjusted profit before tax for the six months ending 30 September to be significantly higher than the corresponding period in 2008, when it was exceptionally low.For the year as a whole, SSE expects to deliver a moderate increase in adjusted profit before tax; and an increase in the dividend per share of at least 4% more than inflation, the power supplier said in Monday's company statement.SSE, which is currently 18 months into its five-year, £6.7bn investment programme said, "Ensuring Marchwood becomes fully operational in the next few weeks is the most immediate priority in our programme of projects and investments.""That, along with the return to service in June of Medway power station, means we have a portfolio of gas-fired power stations that should be able to make a much more significant contribution than last year to meeting the country's energy needs this winter," said chief executive Ian Marchant.