Corporate update

Scottish & Southern Energy PLC
31 May 2006

31 May 2006
Nr-6113

SSE LAUNCH NEW DOMESTIC GAS BOILER MAINTENANCE BUSINESS

Scottish and Southern Energy plc ('SSE') is to launch a domestic gas boiler
maintenance, servicing and installations business to rival other providers and
bring more competition to the market.  Called 'shield' the service is initially
aimed at 3.5 million homes in a number of major towns and cities across the
south of England, Scotland and South Wales.

The business' offer features a full comprehensive annual service, full breakdown
and emergency cover and a 24-hour, 365-day manned customer helpline.  The
product covers a customer's entire gas central heating system, including the
boiler, pipe work, radiators, cylinders and tanks.

The Health and Safety Executive report that some 20 people are killed in the UK
every year due to poorly or inadequately serviced gas boilers.  Much work has
been done to reduce deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning and SSE has been an
active participant in this work. 'shield' will further contribute to gas safety
by helping to ensure that more household gas boilers are regularly and properly
serviced by qualified engineers.

There are an estimated 14 million owner-occupied homes in the UK, of which four
million have gas boiler contracts.  Over 80% of these contracts are with the one
company.

Over 70 new jobs have been created so far, and it is expected that this number
will grow as the business expands across the UK.  With its dedicated 24-hour
call centre, a sales teams and a team of Corgi-registered gas engineers, the
business will begin operating on 1 June.

Its development is part of SSE's wider strategy to offer customers a broader
range of energy services 'beyond the meter.'


Ian Marchant, Chief Executive of SSE, said: 'As one of the leading energy
companies in the UK, we now have a top reputation for providing our customers
excellence in customer service coupled with a safety record to be proud of.
With today's launch of 'shield' we are now determined to bring our expertise
into this new area, with an offering to householders to both rival and beat our
competitors. Our aim is to offer a safe and high quality service that will not
only attract customers with existing policies, but also reach the large part of
the market that does not yet have any form of boiler servicing in place.'

- ENDS -


Enquiries to:

Scottish and Southern Energy plc
Alan Young - Director of Corporate Communications         + 44 (0)870 900 0410
Denis Kerby - Investor and Media Relations Manager        + 44 (0)870 900 0410

Financial Dynamics
Andrew Dowler                                             + 44 (0)20 7831 3113





                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange