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Portland General Electric announces 2021 financial results and initiates 2022 earnings guidance

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Portland General Electric Company (NYSE: POR) reported a net income of $244 million or $2.72 per diluted share for 2021, a significant increase from $155 million or $1.72 per diluted share in 2020. Fourth-quarter net income was $66 million ($0.73 per share), up from $52 million ($0.57) year-over-year. Revenue growth is attributed to higher energy demand. For 2022, PGE expects earnings between $2.75 and $2.90 per share, with a focus on renewable resources and grid modernization.

Positive
  • Net income for 2021 increased to $244 million from $155 million in 2020.
  • Fourth-quarter net income rose to $66 million compared to $52 million in Q4 2020.
  • 2022 earnings guidance set at $2.75 - $2.90 per diluted share.
  • PGE's commitment to decarbonization through new clean energy technologies.
Negative
  • Increase in operating and administrative expenses due to higher wildfire and storm costs.
  • Net variable power costs negatively impacted by high regional power prices.
  • Potential risks associated with the execution of decarbonization goals.

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Portland General Electric Company (NYSE: POR) today reported net income based on generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) of $244 million, or $2.72 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2021.  This compares with GAAP net income of $155 million, or $1.72 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2020. After adjusting for the impact of the 2020 energy trading losses, non-GAAP net income was $247 million, or $2.75 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2020. GAAP net income was $66 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2021. This compares with GAAP net income of $52 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2020.

"2021 was a year of strong growth and execution," said Maria Pope, PGE President and CEO. "Against the backdrop of the ongoing pandemic, the historic ice storm and record heat, we focused on investments to improve reliability and resiliency.  Looking ahead to 2022, we are advancing our use of technology and digital capabilities, accelerating our procurement of renewable resources, and deploying infrastructure to advance a smarter grid. We are seizing opportunities arising from the national momentum to address climate change and look forward to working with stakeholders and the communities we serve to create a stronger, sustainable and more resilient future for Oregon." 

2021 Year in Review

PGE is focused on leading Oregon to a clean energy future, helping customers maximize their energy journey with clean and innovative solutions that are also safe, reliable and affordable for all. Key strategic accomplishments in 2021 included:

  • Worked with legislators and stakeholders to develop Oregon state law (HB 2021) establishing an electric sector decarbonization framework, including a mandated 80% reduction of baseline greenhouse gas from power served to Oregon retail customers by 2030 and revisions to legacy laws that will allow expanded utility program offerings;
  • Issued an RFP to add 375 to 500 MW of renewables and 375 MW of non-emitting capacity by the end of 2024;
  • Issued our inaugural Distribution System Plan, which provides a framework for electrifying the economy while achieving our environmental justice goals;
  • Opened the new Integrated Operations Center and launched the Advanced Distribution Management System. These investments represent the cornerstone of our strategy to modernize grid operations and establish new physical and cyber security capabilities to monitor and protect assets while also improving incident response times;
  • Continued our long-standing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and increased the representation of Black, Indigenous and People of Color as well as women in leadership across our company; and
  • PGE, employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated $4.8 million, including $428 thousand invested through PGE and PGE Foundation grants and partnerships with culturally specific BIPOC organizations and $225 thousand to organizations serving five counties most impacted by the historic February 2021 ice storm.

2021 Earnings Compared to 2020 Earnings

Total revenue increased due to higher energy demand from strong economic growth. Net variable power costs were unfavorable, excluding the impact of the 2020 energy trading losses, due to high regional power prices, particularly in the third quarter. Operating and administrative expenses increased due to  higher wildfire, vegetation management and storm expenses, higher employee wage and benefit expenses, and inflation pressures. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased due to plant retirements and the remeasurement of an asset retirement obligation recorded in 2020. Taxes other than income taxes increased due to higher property taxes.

2022 Earnings Guidance

PGE is initiating full-year 2022 earnings guidance of $2.75 to $2.90 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 $660 million in 2022 and $650 million in 2023 through 2026;
  • Average construction work in progress balance of $270 million;
  • Operating and maintenance expense between $590 million and $610 million;
  • 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.

Company Updates

General Rate Case

On January 18, 2022, PGE, OPUC staff, and certain customer groups filed a stipulation with the OPUC reflecting an agreement that resolves the annual revenue requirement, average rate base, and corresponding increase authorized in customer prices.

The agreement reflects a final revenue requirement that is based on:

  • A capital structure of 50% debt and 50% equity;
  • a return on equity of 9.5%;
  • a cost of capital of 6.83%;
  • an average rate base of $5.6 billion; and
  • an annual revenue requirement increase of $74 million, which includes $64 million related to power costs.

On February 7, 2022, PGE, OPUC staff and certain customer groups filed a stipulation with the OPUC reflecting an agreement that resolved multiple pricing issues, including the rate spread model. Other elements of the case remain unsettled and all GRC items are subject to OPUC approval.

Decarbonization Framework and Resource Acquisition

HB 2021 creates a legislative framework to reduce baseline greenhouse gas emissions from power served to Oregon retail customers, based on the annual average of 2010, 2011 and 2012 amounts, by at least 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040. Meeting these goals will require PGE to continue investing in new clean energy technologies that decarbonize our system while keeping the system reliable and affordable.

PGE initiated an RFP in April 2021 for 375 to 500 MW of renewable energy and 375 MW of non-emitting capacity. Initial bids were submitted in January 2022, with a shortlist expected in Q2 2022 and a final decision by the end of 2022.

In addition to generation resource acquisitions, PGE filed its inaugural Distribution System Plan at the Oregon Public Utilities Commission in October 2021, tying together the need for more clean and renewable resources and plans for an upgraded grid to support those resources.

Green Financing Framework

PGE has adopted a Green Financing Framework ("Framework") under which we may issue bonds ("Green Bonds") to finance or refinance investments in assets and projects that advance our sustainability goals.

In October 2021, PGE announced the successful placement of its inaugural $150 million green bonds under this framework, part of a $400 million placement. Proceeds of the $150 million in green bonds will be dedicated to refinancing PGE's investment in the Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility, the first major renewable energy facility in North America to co-locate wind and solar generation with battery storage.

The bond issuance follows the recent renewal and $150 million increase of the company's $650 million revolving credit facility, which now includes a sustainability-linked pricing structure that links the company's borrowing costs to metrics related to its non-emitting generation capacity and the percentage of management comprised of women and employees who identify as black, indigenous, and people of color.

Quarterly dividend

As previously announced, on February 11, 2022, the board of directors of Portland General Electric Company approved a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.43 per share. The quarterly dividend is payable on or before April 18, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 25, 2022.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Earnings Call and Webcast — Feb. 17, 2022

PGE will host a conference call with financial analysts and investors on Thursday, Feb. 17, 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, Feb. 17, 2022, through 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.

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

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Management believes that excluding the effects of the previously disclosed 2020 energy trading losses provides a meaningful representation of the Company's comparative earnings per share. The Company has adjusted this amount to maintain comparability between periods. The effect of the energy trading losses was $1.03 per diluted share on a full-year basis. PGE's reconciliation of non-GAAP earnings for the year ended December 31, 2020 is below.

Non-GAAP Earnings Reconciliation for the year ended December 31, 2020


(Dollars in millions, except EPS)

Net Income

Diluted EPS

GAAP as reported for the year ended December 31, 2020

$                         155

$                   1.72

Exclusion of certain trading losses

127

1.42

Tax effect (1)

(35)

(0.39)

Non-GAAP as reported for the year ended December 31, 2020

$                         247

$                   2.75

(1) Tax effect for the full-year was determined based on the Company's blended federal and state statutory tax rate.

The attached unaudited consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and 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," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "promises," "expects," "should," "conditioned upon," 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, failure to complete capital projects on schedule or within budget, or the abandonment of capital projects, which could result in the Company's inability to recover project costs; 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 of 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 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 the novel coronavirus disease (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 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

 

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)



Years Ended December 31,


2021


2020


2019

Revenues:






         Revenues, net

$        2,425


$        2,151


$        2,121

         Alternative revenue programs, net of amortization

(29)


(6)


2

                 Total Revenues

2,396


2,145


2,123

Operating expenses:






Purchased power and fuel

822


708


614

Generation, transmission and distribution

310


293


323

Administrative and other

336


283


290

Depreciation and amortization

404


454


409

Taxes other than income taxes

146


138


134

Total operating expenses

2,018


1,876


1,770

Income from operations

378


269


353

Interest expense, net

137


136


128

Other income:






Allowance for equity funds used during construction

17


16


10

Miscellaneous income (expense), net

9


6


6

Other income, net

26


22


16

Income before income taxes

267


155


241

Income tax expense

23



27

Net income

$          244


$          155


$          214







Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):






Basic

89,481


89,485


89,353

Diluted

89,627


89,645


89,559







Earnings per share:






Basic

$         2.72


$         1.73


$         2.39

Diluted

$         2.72


$         1.72


$         2.39

 

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)



As of December 31,


2021


2020

ASSETS




Current assets:




Cash and cash equivalents

$                 52


$               257

Accounts receivable, net

329


271

Inventories, at average cost:




Materials and supplies

51


49

Fuel

27


23

Regulatory assets—current

24


23

Other current assets

205


98

Total current assets

688


721

Electric utility plant:




In service

11,838


10,974

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

(4,146)


(3,864)

In service, net

7,692


7,110

Construction work-in-progress

313


429

Electric utility plant, net

8,005


7,539

Regulatory assets—noncurrent

533


569

Nuclear decommissioning trust

47


45

Non-qualified benefit plan trust

45


42

Other noncurrent assets

176


153

Total assets

$             9,494


$             9,069

 

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)



As of December 31,


2021


2020

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY




Current liabilities:




Accounts payable

$           244


$            153

Liabilities from price risk management activities—current

47


14

Short-term debt


150

Current portion of long-term debt


160

Current portion of finance lease obligations

20


16

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

457


322

Total current liabilities

768


815

Long-term debt, net of current portion

3,285


2,886

Regulatory liabilities—noncurrent

1,360


1,369

Deferred income taxes

413


374

Unfunded status of pension and postretirement plans

206


299

Liabilities from price risk management activities—noncurrent

90


136

Asset retirement obligations

238


270

Non-qualified benefit plan liabilities

95


101

Finance lease obligations, net of current portion

273


129

Other noncurrent liabilities

59


77

Total liabilities

6,787


6,456

Commitments and contingencies




Shareholders' equity:




Preferred stock, no par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized; none
issued and outstanding


Common stock, no par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized;
89,410,612  and 89,537,331 shares issued and outstanding as of
December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively

1,241


1,231

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(10)


(11)

Retained earnings

1,476


1,393

Total shareholders' equity

2,707


2,613

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$         9,494


$         9,069

 

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)



Years Ended December 31,


2021


2020


2019

Cash flows from operating activities:






Net income

$         244


$         155


$         214

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






Depreciation and amortization

404


454


409

Deferred income taxes

5


(23)


6

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

(17)


(16)


(10)

Pension and other postretirement benefits

24


22


21

Decoupling mechanism deferrals, net of amortization

29


6


(2)

(Amortization) Deferral of net benefits due to Tax Reform


(23)


(23)

Stock-based compensation

14


11


9

Deferral of incremental storm costs

(67)



Deferral of incremental wildfire costs

(30)


(15)


Other non-cash income and expenses, net

(10)


23


34

Changes in working capital:






(Increase) decrease in receivables and unbilled revenues

(64)


(24)


30

Decrease (increase) in margin deposits

(29)


8


Increase (decrease) in payables and accrued liabilities

61


26


(16)

Increase in margin deposits from wholesale counterparties

58



Other working capital items, net

(21)


17


(12)

Contribution to non-qualified employee benefit trust

(11)


(11)


(11)

Contribution to pension and other postretirement plans

(2)


(2)


(65)

Asset retirement obligation settlements

(18)


(18)


(9)

Other, net

(38)


(23)


(29)

Net cash provided by operating activities

532


567


546

Cash flows from investing activities:






Capital expenditures

(636)


(784)


(606)

Purchases of nuclear decommissioning trust securities

(10)


(6)


(8)

Sales of nuclear decommissioning trust securities

12


9


13

Proceeds from sale of properties

4



Other, net

(26)


(6)


(3)

Net cash used in investing activities

(656)


(787)


(604)

 

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, continued
(In millions)
(Unaudited)



Years Ended December 31,


2021


2020


2019

Cash flows from financing activities:






Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

$         400


$         549


$         470

Payments on long-term debt

(160)


(98)


(350)

Debt extinguishment costs


(2)


(9)

Borrowings on short-term debt

200


275


Payments on short-term debt

(350)


(125)


Dividends paid

(150)


(140)


(134)

Repurchase of common stock

(12)



Other

(9)


(12)


(8)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(81)


447


(31)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

(205)


227


(89)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

257


30


119

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

$           52


$         257


$           30







Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:






Cash paid for:






Interest, net of amounts capitalized

$         120


$         113


$         116

Income taxes

16


17


33

Non-cash investing and financing activities:






Accrued capital additions

87


72


76

Accrued dividends payable

40


38


36

 

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING STATISTICS
(Unaudited)



Years Ended December 31,


2021


2020


2019

Retail revenues (dollars in millions):












Residential

$   1,118


54%


$   1,030


53%


$      981


52%

Commercial

708


34


634


33


654


35

Industrial

279


13


246


13


222


12

Subtotal

2,105


101


1,910


99


1,857


99

Alternative revenue programs, net of
amortization

(29)


(1)


(6)



2


Other accrued (deferred) revenues, net

2



28


1


22


1

Total retail revenues

$   2,078


100%


$   1,932


100%


$   1,881


100%

Retail energy deliveries (MWh in
thousands):












Residential

7,978


39%


7,756


40%


7,471


38%

Commercial

7,193


35


6,855


35


7,318


38

Industrial

5,361


26


4,932


25


4,671


24

Total retail energy deliveries

20,532


100%


19,543


100%


19,460


100%

Average number of retail customers:












Residential

800,372


88%


791,119


88%


779,673


88%

Commercial

111,569


12


110,851


12


110,084


12

Industrial

268



267



262


Total

912,209


100%


902,237


100%


890,019


100%

 

PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING STATISTICS, continued
(Unaudited)



Heating Degree-Days


Cooling Degree-Days   


2021


2020


15-Year
Average


2021


2020


15-Year
Average

1st quarter

1,805


1,761


1,847




2nd quarter

498


554


629


238


99


93

3rd quarter

54


47


74


600


492


455

4th quarter

1,471


1,474


1,570



9


2

Total

3,828


3,836


4,120


838


600


550

Increase (decrease) from the 15-
year average

(7)%


(7)%




52%


9%




Note: "Average" amounts represent the 15-year rolling averages provided by the National Weather Service (Portland Airport).

 


Years Ended December 31,



2021


2020


Sources of energy (MWh in thousands):









Generation:









Thermal:









Natural gas

9,306


37%


8,029


33%


Coal

2,060


8


3,232


13


Total thermal

11,366


45


11,261


46


Hydro

1,073


4


1,204


5


Wind

2,316


9


2,111


9


Total generation

14,755


58


14,576


60


Purchased power:









Hydro

4,789


19


3,936


16


Wind

989


4


426


2


Solar

501


2


414


2


Natural Gas

63



38



Waste, Wood and Landfill Gas

167


1


174


1


Source not specified

4,031


16


4,722


19


Total purchased power

10,540


42%


9,710


40%


Total system load

25,295


100%


24,286


100%


Less: wholesale sales

(5,946)




(5,794)




Retail load requirement

19,349




18,492




 




Media Contact:


Investor Contact:

Mike Houlihan


Jardon Jaramillo

Corporate Communications


Investor Relations

Phone: 503-504-9706


Phone: 503-464-7051

 

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/portland-general-electric-announces-2021-financial-results-and-initiates-2022-earnings-guidance-301484332.html

SOURCE Portland General Company

FAQ

What were Portland General Electric's earnings for 2021?

Portland General Electric reported net income of $244 million, or $2.72 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2021.

How did PGE's fourth-quarter earnings compare to last year?

In the fourth quarter of 2021, PGE reported a net income of $66 million, up from $52 million in the same quarter of 2020.

What is PGE's earnings guidance for 2022?

PGE expects 2022 earnings to be between $2.75 and $2.90 per diluted share.

What strategic initiatives did PGE undertake in 2021?

PGE focused on investments for reliability, grid modernization, and advancing renewable energy procurement.

How has PGE committed to sustainability?

PGE is implementing a decarbonization framework requiring an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Portland General Electric Company

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