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Portland General Electric Announces First Quarter 2022 Results

April 28, 2022 5:00 AM
  • Continued strong energy deliveries and customer growth amid challenging cost pressures
  • Issued RFP shortlist results for renewable and non-emitting capacity resources with project selection targeted by the end of 2022
  • Revising 2022 earnings guidance from $2.75 to $2.90 to $2.50 to $2.65 per diluted share, to reflect reductions to 2020 regulatory deferrals

PORTLAND, Ore., April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Portland General Electric Company (NYSE: POR) today reported net income of $60 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2022. This compares with a net income of $96 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2021.

"We continued to see strong load growth and remain focused on serving customers with increasing amounts of clean energy and a smarter, more resilient grid." said Maria Pope, PGE president and CEO. "As a result of this week's rate case order from the Oregon Public Utility Commission, we recorded a reduction to our 2020 deferrals for wildfire restoration and COVID in the first quarter of 2022. While this adjustment is significant, the overall order provides regulatory clarity as we continue to advance system reliability and move forward on decarbonization goals. We are also pleased that a highly competitive process has resulted in some PGE investment opportunities being included on the RFP shortlist."

First Quarter 2022 Compared to First Quarter 2021

Total revenues were driven by higher retail energy deliveries, due to continued growth in commercial and industrial demand, including high-tech and digital customers, partially offset by milder weather. Purchased power and fuel expense increased to serve higher customer load. Operating expenses increased, driven by grid maintenance, vegetation management and reductions to deferral amounts recorded in 2020 related to COVID and Wildfire expenses as a result of the 2022 GRC stipulation. Administrative expenses increased due to wages and benefits driven by a strong labor market, as well as the cost of materials. Tax expense increased primarily due to a local tax flow-through adjustment that did not recur in 2022.

Company Updates
Renewable and Non-Emitting Capacity Request for Proposal Update

In October 2021, PGE (the Company) submitted to the Public Utility Commission of Oregon (OPUC) a request for the issuance of a Renewable Request for Proposals (RFP). In December 2021, the OPUC acknowledged the request and, as a result, later in December 2021, PGE issued the RFP seeking to procure at least 375 to 500 MW of qualifying renewable resources and approximately 375 MW of non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources and up to 100 MW of renewable resources in support of the Green Future Impact program's PGE supply option.

Following the robust and competitive process of receiving and evaluating initial bids, PGE plans to submit a request for acknowledgement of a shortlist to the OPUC on May 5, 2022 that includes seven distinct projects submitted by five bidders for renewable resources and six distinct projects submitted by four bidders for non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources. This shortlist is included in Appendix A.

The proposals for renewable resources provide various combinations of wind, solar, and battery storage options that include power purchase agreements (PPA) along with Company-owned resources, as shown in Appendix A. The proposals for non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources provide battery storage and pumped storage options that include PPAs along with Company-owned resources. The ultimate outcome of the RFP process may involve the selection of multiple projects for both renewable and non-emitting dispatchable capacity resources.

PGE will request that the OPUC acknowledge the RFP shortlist by July 15, 2022 to enable the Company to execute definitive agreements. RFP shortlist projects were evaluated and selected based on conditions as of the shortlist date and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, regulatory processes, inflationary impacts, supply chain constraints, supply cost increases (including application of tariffs impacting solar module imports), and legislative uncertainty. PGE intends to commence negotiations with one or more bidders and finalize negotiations prior to the end of 2022 to allow sufficient time to capture expiring federal production tax credits for the benefit of customers.

2022 General Rate Case Conclusion

On April 25, 2022, the OPUC issued Order 22-129, which adopted all stipulations agreed to by the parties to the proceeding, including the annual revenue requirement, cost of capital, capitalization ratio, and the elimination of the decoupling mechanism. Key elements of the OPUC's Order also included:

  • establishment of a balancing account for the Company's major storm damage recovery mechanism;
  • denial of PGE's proposal for a secondary phase of the 2022 GRC regarding the Faraday capital improvement project. PGE can pursue recovery in the Company's next GRC;
  • establishment of a deferral that would require PGE to defer and refund, subject to an earnings test, the revenue requirement associated with Boardman included in customer prices following plant closure in 2020; and
  • creation of an earnings test for the deferrals for the 2020 Wildfire Emergency and the February 2021 Ice Storm and Damage that is to be applied on a year-by-year basis.

As a result of the earnings tests outlined in the OPUC's Order, the Company has released deferrals associated with the year ended 2020, resulting in a pre-tax, non-cash charge to earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2022 in the estimated amount of $17 million. PGE does not expect to exceed its regulated return on equity under the earnings tests for 2021 and 2022.

2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report

In March, PGE released its annual ESG report that highlights PGE's programs leading the clean energy future, which includes its commitment to sustainability. The 2021 report showcases key strategic projects that support the company's progress toward a sustainable future and advancing equity for customers, employees, and communities. For more information visit www.portlandgeneral.com/about/who-we-are/sustainability.

Quarterly Dividend

As previously announced, on April 22, 2022, the board of directors of Portland General Electric Company approved an increase in the annual dividend of 5.2%, or $0.09 per share, declaring a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.4525 per share. The quarterly dividend is payable on or before July 15, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 27, 2022.

2022 Earnings Guidance

PGE is revising its estimate for full-year 2022 earnings guidance from $2.75 to $2.90 to $2.50 to $2.65 per diluted share, based on the following assumptions:

  • An increase in energy deliveries between 2% and 2.5%, weather adjusted;
  • Normal temperatures in its utility service territory;
  • Average hydro conditions;
  • Wind generation based on five years of historical levels or forecast studies when historical data is not available;
  • Normal thermal plant operations;
  • Capital expenditures of $685 million in 2022 and $650 million in 2023 through 2026;
  • Average construction work in progress balance of $270 million;
  • Revised operating and maintenance expense from between $590 million and $610 million to $620 million and $640 million, which includes the $17 million deferral reduction recorded in Q1 2022;
  • Depreciation and amortization expense between $420 million and $440 million;
  • Effective tax rate of 15% to 20%;
  • Cash from operations of $575 to $625 million; and
  • No new common equity to be issued for investment or operations.
First Quarter 2022 Earnings Call and Webcast — April 28, 2022

PGE will host a conference call with financial analysts and investors on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 11 a.m. ET. The conference call will be webcast live on the PGE website at investors.portlandgeneral.com. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 28, 2022, through 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 5, 2022.

Maria Pope, President and CEO; Jim Ajello, Senior Vice President of Finance, CFO, and Treasurer; and Jardon Jaramillo, Senior Director, Investor Relations, Finance, and Risk, will participate in the call. Management will respond to questions following formal comments.

The attached unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, as well as the supplemental operating statistics, are an integral part of this earnings release.

# # #

About Portland General Electric Company

Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is a fully integrated energy company based in Portland, Oregon. The company serves approximately 900,000 customers with a service area population of 2 million Oregonians in 51 cities. PGE owns 16 generation plants across Oregon and other Northwestern states and maintains and operates 14 public parks and recreation areas. For more than 130 years, PGE has powered the advancement of society, delivering safe, affordable, and reliable energy to Oregonians. PGE and its approximately 3,000 employees are working with customers to build a clean energy future. Together with its customers, PGE has the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the U.S. PGE is committed to achieving at least an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from power served to customers by 2030 and 100% reduction by 2040. In 2021, PGE became the first U.S. utility to join The Climate Pledge. For the eighth year in a row PGE achieved a perfect score on the 2021 Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality. In 2021, PGE, employees, retirees, and the PGE Foundation donated $4.8 million and volunteered 15,760 hours with more than 300 nonprofits across Oregon. For more information visit www.PortlandGeneral.com/news.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this press release that relate to future plans, objectives, expectations, performance, events and the like may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions as of the date of this report. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new

information, future events or other factors.

Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company's full-year earnings guidance (including expectations regarding annual retail deliveries, average hydro conditions, wind generation, normal thermal plant operations, operating and maintenance expense and depreciation and amortization expense) as well as other statements containing words such as "anticipates," "based on," "believes," "conditioned upon," "considers," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "needs," "plans," "promises," "seeks," "should," "subject to," "targets," and similar expressions.

Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation: the outcome of various legal and regulatory actions; demand for electricity; the sale of excess energy during periods of low demand or low wholesale market prices; operational risks relating to the Company's generation and battery storage facilities, including hydro conditions, wind conditions, disruption of transmission and distribution, disruption of fuel supply, and unscheduled plant outages, which may result in unanticipated operating, maintenance and repair costs, as well as replacement power costs; delays in the supply chain and increased supply costs (including application of tariffs impacting solar module imports), failure to complete capital projects on schedule or within budget, failure of counterparties to perform under agreement, or the abandonment of capital projects, which could result in the Company's inability to recover project costs; default or nonperformance of counterparties from whom PGE purchases capacity or energy, which require the purchase of replacement power and renewable attributes at increased costs; complications arising from PGE's jointly-owned plant, including ownership changes, regulatory outcomes or operational failures; the costs of compliance with environmental laws and regulations, including those that govern emissions from thermal power plants; changes in weather, hydroelectric and energy market conditions, which could affect the availability and cost of purchased power and fuel; the development of alternative technologies; changes in capital and credit market conditions, including interest rates, which could affect the access to and availability or cost of capital and result in delay or cancellation of capital projects or execution of the Company's strategic plan as currently envisioned; general economic and financial market conditions, including inflation; severe weather conditions, wildfires, and other natural phenomena and natural disasters that could result in operational disruptions, unanticipated restoration costs, or third party liability; cyber security breaches of the Company's customer information system or operating systems, data security breaches, or acts of terrorism, which could disrupt operations, require significant expenditures, or result in claims against the Company; employee workforce factors, including potential strikes, work stoppages, transitions in senior management, and the ability to recruit and retain key employees and other talent due to the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) mandates and turnover due to macroeconomic trends; PGE business activities are concentrated in one region and future performance may be affected by events and factors unique to Oregon; and widespread health emergencies or outbreaks of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, including potential vaccination mandates, which may affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. As a result, actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

These risks and uncertainties to which the Company are subject to are further discussed in the reports that the Company has filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These reports are available through the EDGAR system free-of-charge on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov and on the Company's website, investors.portlandgeneral.com. Investors should not rely unduly on any forward-looking statements.

POR

Source: Portland General Company

Appendix A - RFP Final Shortlist

Renewable Resources

Bidder

Project

Proposal (1)

Technology

Structure

MW (2)

Company-owned Wind MW

A (3)

1

a)

Solar, Battery

PPA

120

b)

Solar

PPA

120

2

a)

Solar, Battery

PPA

200

b)

Solar

PPA

200

B

3

a)

Solar, Battery

PPA

41

b)

Solar

PPA

41

c)

Solar, Battery

PPA

41

d)

Solar

PPA

41

C

4

a)

Solar, Battery

PPA

150

b)

Solar, Battery

PPA

150

5

a)

Solar, Battery

PPA

76

D

6

a)

Wind

Hybrid (4)

312

209

E

7

a)

Wind, Solar, Battery

Hybrid (4)

1,050

350

b)

Wind, Solar, Battery

Hybrid (4)

450

230

c)

Wind, Solar, Battery

Hybrid (4)

710

350

d)

Wind

Hybrid (4)

690

350

e)

Wind

Hybrid (4)

350

120

f)

Wind, Solar, Battery

Hybrid (4)

610

350

Non-emitting Dispatchable Capacity Resources

Bidder

Project

Proposal (1)

Technology

Structure

MW

A (3)

8

a)

Battery

PPA

100

F

9

a)

Battery

PPA

100

G

10

a)

Pumped Storage

PPA

196

H

11

a)

Battery

PPA

150

b)

Battery

PPA

175

c)

Battery

PPA

200

12

a)

Battery

Company-owned

75

b)

Battery

Company-owned

50

13

a)

Battery

Company-owned

100

b)

Battery

Company-owned

125

c)

Battery

Company-owned

75

(1) While the outcome of the RFP process may involve the selection of multiple projects for both renewable and capacity resources, individual proposals within a given project are considered mutually exclusive

(2) Renewable MW values do not include nameplate capacity of paired energy storage

(3) Selection of projects from Bidder A are limited to two of the three submitted projects. i.e., A.1. and A.2. may be selected, but not A.8., etc.

(4) Hybrid commercial structure includes a PPA portion and a Company-owned portion of project resources

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2022

2021

Revenues:

Revenues, net

$ 625

$ 612

Alternative revenue programs, net of amortization

1

(3)

Total revenues

626

609

Operating expenses:

Purchased power and fuel

202

169

Generation, transmission and distribution

90

80

Administrative and other

89

86

Depreciation and amortization

99

103

Taxes other than income taxes

40

38

Total operating expenses

520

476

Income from operations

106

133

Interest expense, net

38

34

Other income:

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

3

4

Miscellaneous income, net

2

Other income, net

3

6

Income before income tax expense

71

105

Income tax expense

11

9

Net income

60

96

Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):

Basic

89,396

89,556

Diluted

89,527

89,703

Earnings per share:

Earnings per shareBasic and diluted

$ 0.67

$ 1.07

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in millions)

(Unaudited)

March 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 110

$ 52

Accounts receivable, net

303

329

Inventories

72

78

Regulatory assets—current

20

24

Other current assets

371

205

Total current assets

876

688

Electric utility plant, net

8,062

8,005

Regulatory assets—noncurrent

491

533

Nuclear decommissioning trust

44

47

Non-qualified benefit plan trust

42

45

Other noncurrent assets

208

176

Total assets

$ 9,723

$ 9,494

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, continued

(Dollars in millions)

(Unaudited)

March 31,2022

December 31,2021

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$ 169

$ 244

Liabilities from price risk management activities—current

60

47

Current portion of finance lease obligation

22

20

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

680

457

Total current liabilities

931

768

Long-term debt, net of current portion

3,286

3,285

Regulatory liabilities—noncurrent

1,379

1,360

Deferred income taxes

422

413

Unfunded status of pension and postretirement plans

206

206

Liabilities from price risk management activities—noncurrent

72

90

Asset retirement obligations

243

238

Non-qualified benefit plan liabilities

93

95

Finance lease obligations, net of current portion

299

273

Other noncurrent liabilities

83

59

Total liabilities

7,014

6,787

Shareholders' Equity:

Preferred stock, no par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021

Common stock, no par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized; 89,223,903 and 89,410,612 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022 andDecember 31, 2021, respectively

1,236

1,241

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(10)

(10)

Retained earnings

1,483

1,476

Total shareholders' equity

2,709

2,707

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$ 9,723

$ 9,494

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2022

2021

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$ 60

$ 96

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

99

103

Deferred income taxes

4

(1)

Pension and other postretirement benefits

3

6

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

(3)

(4)

Decoupling mechanism deferrals, net of amortization

(1)

3

Deferral of incremental storm costs

(2)

(41)

Deferral of incremental wildfire costs

(7)

(7)

Other non-cash income and expenses, net

39

20

Changes in working capital:

(Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable, net

21

(2)

Decrease in inventories

6

4

(Increase)/decrease in margin deposits

23

(1)

Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

(44)

26

Increase in margin deposits from wholesale counterparties

99

Other working capital items, net

(27)

(14)

Other, net

(21)

(20)

Net cash provided by operating activities

249

168

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, continued

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2022

2021

Cash flows from investing activities:

Capital expenditures

(167)

(153)

Sales of Nuclear decommissioning trust securities

2

3

Purchases of Nuclear decommissioning trust securities

(2)

(3)

Proceeds from sale of properties

12

Other, net

1

(9)

Net cash used in investing activities

(154)

(162)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Payments on long-term debt

(140)

Borrowings on short-term debt

200

Repayments of short-term debt

(150)

Proceeds from failed sale-leaseback transactions

25

Dividends paid

(38)

(36)

Repurchase of common stock

(18)

Other

(6)

(2)

Net cash used in financing activities

(37)

(128)

Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

58

(122)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

52

257

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$ 110

$ 135

Supplemental cash flow information is as follows:

Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized

$ 18

$ 16

Cash paid for income taxes

2

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

Assets obtained under leasing arrangements

29

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING STATISTICS

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2022

2021

Revenues (dollars in millions):

Retail:

Residential

$ 308

49 %

$ 310

51 %

Commercial

178

29

162

26

Industrial

69

11

60

10

Direct Access*

8

1

11

2

Subtotal

563

90

543

89

Alternative revenue programs, net of amortization

1

(3)

Other accrued revenues, net

13

2

Total retail revenues

564

90

553

91

Wholesale revenues

56

9

33

5

Other operating revenues

6

1

23

4

Total revenues

$ 626

100 %

$ 609

100 %

Energy deliveries (MWhs in thousands):

Retail:

Residential

2,216

32 %

2,239

35

Commercial

1,634

24

1,564

24

Industrial

974

14

897

14

Subtotal

4,824

70

4,700

73

Direct access:

Commercial

131

2

150

2

Industrial

413

7

359

6

Subtotal

544

9

509

8

Total retail energy deliveries

5,368

79

5,209

81

Wholesale energy deliveries

1,507

21

1,245

19

Total energy deliveries

6,875

100 %

6,454

100 %

Average number of retail customers:

Residential

806,553

88 %

797,602

88 %

Commercial

111,668

12

110,703

12

Industrial

192

193

Direct access

550

601

Total

918,963

100 %

909,099

100 %

* Commercial revenues from ESS customers were $3 million for 2022 and $4 million for 2021, respectively. Industrial revenues from ESS customers were $5 million and $7 million for 2022 and 2021, respectively.

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING STATISTICS, continued

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2022

2021

Sources of energy (MWhs in thousands):

Generation:

Thermal:

Natural gas

2,149

32 %

2,383

38 %

Coal

610

9

582

9

Total thermal

2,759

41

2,965

47

Hydro

273

4

317

5

Wind

392

6

532

9

Total generation

3,424

51

3,814

61

Purchased power:

Hydro*

1,562

23

1,129

18

Wind*

195

3

238

4

Solar*

113

2

92

1

Natural Gas

2

4

Waste, Wood and Landfill Gas*

37

1

39

1

Source not specified

1,315

20

921

15

Total purchased power

3,224

49

2,423

39

Total system load

6,648

100 %

6,237

100 %

Less: wholesale sales

(1,507)

(1,245)

Retail load requirement

5,141

4,992

*Includes power received from qualifying facilities under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) of 6 MWh in 2022 and 2021 from Hydro resources, 6 MWh in 2022 and 2021 from Wind resources, 104 MWh in 2022 and 88 MWh in 2021 from Solar resources, and 20 MWh in 2022 and 19 MWh in 2021 from Waste, Wood and Landfill Gas resources.

The following table indicates the number of heating degree-days for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, along with 15-year averages based on weather data provided by the National Weather Service, as measured at Portland International Airport:

Heating Degree-days

2022

2021

Avg.

January

710

620

721

February

591

641

598

March

460

544

527

Year-to-date

1,761

1,805

1,846

(Decrease) from the 15-year average

(5) %

(2) %

Media Contact:

Investor Contact:

Mike Houlihan

Jardon Jaramillo

Corporate Communications

Investor Relations

Phone: 503-504-9706

Phone: 503-464-7051

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SOURCE Portland General Company

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