SSE intends to pay dividend despite COVID-19 disruption

Energy giant SSE has confirmed it remains “confident” about its long-term performance in spite of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Ahead of the publication of its full year results, the firm stated that its board intends to recommend a full-year dividend of 80 pence per share for 2019/20, as the pandemic has not yet had a “material impact” on the group’s results.

However, SSE has stressed that the board may reconsider the timing of the dividend payment as the effects of the coronavirus become more apparent.

Gregor Alexander, finance director at SSE, commented: “In common with everyone else, our overriding priority is supporting efforts to contain and delay the spread of Covid-19 - helping communities, customers and colleagues through this exceptionally difficult time.

“Covid-19 is having an exceptional human, social and economic impact and dealing with that must be our overriding priority.

“Nevertheless, as a clean infrastructure company with first class assets and practical solutions to the critical problem of climate change and achievement of net zero emissions, we remain confident about the long-term opportunities for SSE.”