By Jaime Llinares Taboada

SSE PLC said Wednesday that it is committing to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, joining the 'Race to Zero' campaign.

"At SSE, we have pinned our business future on providing the low carbon infrastructure that helps the U.K. and Ireland achieve their climate targets. But we must have our own house in order too," SSE's Energy Director Martin Pibworth said.

The FTSE 100 company is investing heavily in renewable energy and has a 6-gigawatt offshore windfarm pipeline for the U.K. However the company still owns several thermal power plants and is constructing a new gas-fired unit in North Lincolnshire, which it says will be the cleanest gas-fired power station in Europe. In addition, SSE has interests across 15 producing gas fields which it is seeking to sell.

SSE's thermal generation was 4,260 gigawatt hours in the three months to June 30, compared with renewable output of 1,988 gigawatt hours during the same period.

Write to Jaime Llinares Taboada at jaime.llinares@wsj.com; @JaimeLlinaresT

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

11-11-20 0511ET