UTILITY giant SSE has confirmed it remains on course to raise its annual dividend in spite of challenging energy markets.

The Perth business said its retail arm, which includes a number of customer facing businesses as well as its consumer operation, has been profitable in the six months to September 30.

Within that, the energy supply section is expected to have reduced its operating losses.

The networks division is forecast to see its operating profit rise on the back of major capital investment SSE has put into its transmission infrastructure in recent years.

Meanwhile the wholesale segment remains in profit but is likely to see its figures reduced in the half-year.

SSE said that is a result of lower output from renewable and thermal energy and lower gas production profits.

Across the six month period about £700 million was spent maintaining, upgrading and building energy related assets.

Gregor Alexander, finance director of SSE, said the firm was on target to deliver a dividend increase at least in line with Retail Prices Index inflation. He added: "We said at the start of the financial year that the issues facing the energy sector are very challenging.

"Energy is a long term business, however, we are confident that focusing on positive engagement with our Retail and Networks customers, maintaining a strong operational focus and investing in the right assets, is the right approach.

"The challenges are unlikely to abate in the second half of the financial year but our continuing operational and financial discipline should enable us to meet the needs of customers."