NOTIFICATION OF CLOSE PERIOD
SSE plc will enter its close period on 31 March 2015, prior to the publication on Wednesday 20 May of its financial report for the year to 31 March 2015.
Developments since publication of IMS
Since the publication of its trading statement on 26 January 2015, SSE has:
· successfully launched an issue of hybrid capital securities comprising £750m and €600m with an all-in funding cost to SSE of 4.02% per annum;
· confirmed a reduction in interim dividend cash funding of £81.6m as a result of the Scrip alternative;
· responded to the decision by other parties to seek permission from the CMA to appeal the decision of GEMA with regard to the electricity distribution price control for 2015-23;
· confirmed that Deputy Chairman Richard Gillingwater will take up his previously-announced appointment as Chairman on the completion of the Company's AGM in July, subject to being re-elected to the Board;
· been awarded a National Grid contract to provide voltage support from Peterhead Power Station for 18 months from 1 April 2016 with a baseline value of £15m; and
· announced the sale of Langhope Rig, a 16MW wind farm nearing construction completion in the Scottish Borders, as part of its disposal programme of onshore windfarm assets.
Financial outlook
As set out in its trading statement, SSE expects that it will deliver for 2014/15:
· an increase in the full-year dividend that is at least equal to RPI inflation1, expected to be around 2% ; and
· adjusted earnings per share1 that will be around the level achieved in 2013/14.
1 As defined in SSE's interim results statement in November 2014.
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