AN ENERGY giant, which powers thousands of homes across Hampshire, lost 430,000 customers last year, new figures have revealed.

Profits at energy giant SSE also took a knock, after it stung by charges linked to the merger of its retail arm with rival Npower.

The group reported pre-tax profit to £1.45 billion in the year to March 31 – a 6 per cent fall.

Its bottom-line profits also tumbled 39 per cent to £1.09 billion.

But revenue rose 8 per cent to £31.23 billion.

SSE pointed to competitive pressures as it saw the number of domestic energy accounts fall.

SSE also recognised £213.3 million worth of exceptional charges, including more than £60 million in IT costs related to its deal with Npower.

Chairman Richard Gillingwater said: "As expected, 2017/18 presented a number of complex challenges to manage, but SSE's operational performance was generally very robust.

"The challenges will continue in 2018/19, which is also expected to be a year of major transition for SSE.

"For investors, by giving clarity on the dividend for the five years to March 2023, SSE is demonstrating that remunerating them for their investment is and will remain its first financial objective."

The deal to merge Npower and SSE's retail operations is undergoing a competition investigation after the two energy giants failed to address concerns.

Under the proposed deal, the new company will be listed on the London Stock Exchange, with SSE shareholders holding 65.6 per cent and Npower owner Innogy holding 34.4 per cent.

SSE said the deal remains on track for completion in the last quarter of 2018 or the first quarter of 2019.

The group, formerly known as Scottish and Southern Energy, is Britain's second biggest energy supplier and the merged group will serve around 11.5 million customers.