Scottish and Southern Energy gas demand down 19 per cent

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has said they continue to expect a full-year dividend increase of at least 2 per cent more than RPI inflation to around 80p per share, despite a significant fall in customer fuel consumption.

Gas consumption is estimated to have fallen by 19 per cent, with electricity consumption also falling by 7 per cent.

The company hopes to deliver an increase in profit before tax for 2011/12 of a similar level to that of the last three years.

SSE chief executive Ian Marchant said: “The economic uncertainty and challenges of the global energy markets that have characterised recent years look set to continue for some time.”