SSE : Full Year Results Presentation Transcript 2019/20

SSE plc 2019/20 PRELIMINARY RESULTS PRESENTATION SCRIPT

INTRODUCTION

1. TITLE SLIDE - PROVIDING ENERGY TODAY: BUILDING VALUE FOR

TOMORROW

PRESENTER: ALISTAIR PHILLIPS-DAVIES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE

2. PROVIDING ENERGY TODAY. BUILDING VALUE FOR TOMORROW

Thank you, operator, and good morning everyone. I'm Alistair Phillips-Davies, Chief Executive of SSE; and with me are Finance Director Gregor Alexander and Energy Director Martin Pibworth. We're keeping a safe distance from each other here in Perth, and we're grateful to you for joining us wherever you are in these exceptional times.

Later, we'll take questions, but before that we have a three-part presentation.

• • In part one, we'll review 19/20 as a year of progress for SSE;

• • In part two, we'll set out SSE's comprehensive plan to respond to coronavirus and position the business well for the long term; and

• • In part three, we'll describe SSE's range of opportunities to contribute to a green economic recovery and create value through the transition to net zero emissions.

3. SUSTAINING DIVIDENDS AND PROMOTING LONG-TERM SUCCESS

SSE has a clear vision of being a leading energy company in a net zero world. That vision is more relevant than ever as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic. And in working towards it, we're guided by two clear and related objectives:

• • sustaining dividend payments on which pensioners and savers depend for income; and

• • promoting the long-term success of SSE for the benefit of all stakeholders.

These objectives are related because we believe that sustaining dividends through short-term adverse economic and business conditions will pave the way to long-term success.

And the opportunities for long-term success are clear, especially in our core electricity networks and renewables businesses. They're central to the transition to net zero, and it's in these businesses - complemented by incremental value added through the thermal energy and customer businesses - that we're able to:

• • achieve excellence;

• • contribute to a green economic recovery;

• • deliver growth; and

• • create value through the transition to net zero.

4. FULFILLING OUR CORE PURPOSE - RESPONDING TO CORONAVIRUS

Before looking at results, I want to thank colleagues across SSE who've been working hard to support the safe and reliable supply of electricity depended on by the people and organisations leading the coronavirus response.

With a strict focus on safety, the commitment of our key workers has:

• • Maintained the reliability of our electricity networks; and

• • Ensured power generation has been available to support the electricity system.

As a responsible employer, we've worked closely with trades unions and agreed flexible working, and retention of full pay, over use of the government's Job Retention Scheme - so we have not 'furloughed' any employees.

And we're committed to the C-19 Business Pledge and its focus on customers, communities and suppliers, as well as employees.

So, on behalf of the Board I'd like to thank all of our colleagues in SSE for their commitment and hard work during these extraordinary and challenging times.

PART ONE: RESULTS TO 31 MARCH 2020

5. TITLE SLIDE - PART ONE: RESULTS TO 31 MARCH 2020

Now for part one of our presentation - a review of 19/20.

6. RESULTS TO 31 MARCH 2020 - A YEAR OF PROGRESS

Financially, our results represented a solid recovery from the previous year, with increases in adjusted measures on operating profit, profit before tax and earnings per share.

And overall, it was a year of progress.

Strategically, the sale of Energy Services enabled SSE to become a company focused on the successful development, efficient operation and responsible ownership of electricity infrastructure required for the transition to net zero.

Operationally the establishment of SSE Renewables, and of focused management structures for Transmission and Distribution, and our other business units, means we get the most out of specialist knowledge and insight - and strike the right balance between empowerment and accountability.

We saw this in our successes in the CfD auctions for offshore wind and in the quality of our RIIO T2 business plan. These businesses can contribute significantly to a green economic recovery.

And after six years of continuous improvement, 19/20 was our best year to date in terms of overall safety performance, wellbeing and environmental care.

This year of progress has helped set us up for long-term success, about which we'll say more later.

Now I'll hand over to Gregor, to cover the financial results, starting with coronavirus impacts.

PRESENTER: GREGOR ALEXANDER

7. RESULTS TO 31 MARCH 2020 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

Thanks, Alistair, and good morning everyone.

Coronavirus had two main impacts on our results for 19/20:

• • An estimated £18.2m reduction in adjusted operating profit, mainly as a result of reduced demand and revenue; and

• • An exceptional charge of £33.7m, arising mainly through additional provision for bad debts in the customer businesses.

In March, we said we expected adjusted EPS on our standard definition to be within the 83-88p range first indicated in November's interims - before any coronavirus impacts. Despite the £18.2m impact of coronavirus, adjusted EPS still came in within November's forecast range, at 83.6 pence.

8. RESULTS TO 31 MARCH 2020 - OVERVIEW

The biggest positive factors driving recovery in the results were:

• • the restoration of GB Capacity Market payments;

• • the lower EPM-related loss; and

• • strong performance in SSE Renewables.

9. RESULTS TO 31 MARCH 2020 - EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

There was a net exceptional charge of £738.7m before tax which covered two main areas:

• • £529.0m on discontinued operations; and

• • £209.7m on continuing operations, including the £33.7m relating to coronavirus impacts that I mentioned earlier.

Derivatives with an 'out-the-money' mark-to-market valuation of £231m were novated to SSE Energy Services as part of its disposal to OVO. This benefit to SSE has been netted off against the loss on disposal as part of exceptional items, reducing the loss on sale reported in November.

10.RESULTS TO 31 MARCH 2020 - REGULATED NETWORKS BUSINESSES

In line with our March forecast, adjusted operating profit across our three regulated networks businesses was down to £776.7m:

• • In Transmission, adjusted profit reduced to £218.1m, mainly through phasing of allowed revenue, along with increased depreciation relating to ongoing capex.

• • In Distribution, adjusted profit decreased to £356.3m, reflecting a net increase in costs including increased depreciation; and higher costs associated with supplying Shetland.

• • In SGN, our share of adjusted profit increased to £202.3m, due to totex outperformance and additional commercial income.

The quality of these networks businesses is shown by their Regulatory Asset Value, which was around £9.1bn at the year end.

11.RESULTS TO 31 MARCH 2020 - SSE RENEWABLES

In line with our March forecast, SSE Renewables delivered a 24% increase in adjusted operating profit, to £567.3m. Results benefited from a full year of output from Beatrice offshore wind farm.

Profits also benefited from strong levels of production from hydro, through: operational reliability; excellent management of water; and effective commercial deployment.

Including 0.7TWh of constrained-off wind, SSE had a record-breaking year for renewables output at 11.4TWh.

12.RESULTS TO 31 MARCH 2020 - CORE BUSINESSES

We've re-shaped SSE to focus on renewables and regulated electricity networks. With quality assets, they give SSE its fundamental resilience and each have key roles in the transition to net zero. Together with our 33% stake in SGN's regulated gas networks, they contributed:

• • 90% of our adjusted operating profit at £1.3bn; and

• • 85% of our adjusted EBITDA at nearly £1.9bn.