SSE has seen generation from its renewable energy assets in the UK and Ireland come in below plan in the nine months to end-2022.
According to the group’s third-quarter trading statement, the company produced 6860GWh of renewable electricity from its UK and Irish assets, 760GWh or 10% less than its 7623GWh target for the nine months to 31 December 2022.
However, it was 940GWh more than its performance for the equivalent three quarters of 2021.
Onshore wind accounted for 3458GWh, meeting 96% of its target, while offshore wind provided 1328GWh, 78% of its target. Conventional hydro provided the remaining 2074GWh, 88% of its target.
All three segments saw generation increase compared to the equivalent period of 2021.
The company noted that the third quarter saw periods of unseasonably calm and dry weather with delays to the Seagreen project also contributing to the shortfall against plan.
It added that construction on Seagreen continues, alongside Dogger Bank and Viking, with Seagreen still expected to be completed in summer 2023 assuming normal weather and planned vessel availability.
The company said that it remains on course to deliver record investment in excess of £2.5bn this year, backed by its strong balance sheet and credit ratings, with clear visibility of further investment opportunities that support the transition to net zero.
Gregor Alexander, SSE Finance Director, said: “Our fully funded £12.5bn Net Zero Acceleration Programme is progressing at pace as we build the renewables, networks and flexible energy assets needed for a cleaner, more secure energy system.
“SSE is performing well in a shifting and volatile energy landscape, underlining the strength of our balanced business mix and the quality of our assets, and we are well placed to deliver a strong financial performance for the full year.
“We are responding to the cost of living and energy crises by investing record amounts and remain committed to investing additional profit we make into critical low-carbon electricity infrastructure. By doing so, we are creating lasting value for SSE’s stakeholders, and society as a whole.”