EUCI Blog

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Feb. 25 issued its largest loan package ever – $26.5 billion – to help finance 16 gigawatts (GW) of generation and 1,300 miles of new transmission in Georgia and Alabama. Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, received $22.4 billion, and Alabama…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer The Trump administration’s tariffs on aluminum, copper, and steel are posing a challenge to the utility sector as it faces the need to make “historic capital investments” in infrastructure, according to financial services company Morningstar. “The timing of these tariffs collides with an ambitious agenda to upgrade and expand…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer Electricity consumption in the U.S. is forecast to reach an all-time high by 2026, driven mainly by commercial and industrial demand, according to the federal Energy Information Administration (EIA). During the same 2025-2026 period, retail electricity prices are set to increase from 13% to 18%, depending on the region,…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer Facing uncertainty and financial risks over the potential impact of tariffs on Canadian electricity imports, New England and New York grid operators are seeking permission from federal regulators to add a surcharge to cover import duties. ISO New England said in a filing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer The Trump administration’s 25% tariffs on all imports of steel and aluminum – set to begin March 12 – will challenge the utility sector, but in the short run should not undermine company finances, according to the credit rating service Morningstar DBS. Still, the tariffs may have a ripple…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer Global energy project financing – with a few areas of risk such as aging wind farms, data centers, and trade impacts for solar – will be largely stable in 2025, according to report from the investment research company Morningstar. The Morningstar analysis covers its portfolio of wind, solar, river…

Federal $500M bailout for Muskrat Falls power delays to keep N.S. rate hikes in check September 17, 2024 Ottawa is negotiating a $500-million bailout for Nova Scotia’s privately owned electric utility, saying the money will be used to prevent a big spike in electricity rates. Federal Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson made the announcement Monday…

Trend toward electric utility rate increases in regulated markets continues in 2024 September 9, 2024 Utility regulators in the United States are considering increases to electricity rates again this year as electric utilities seek to cover the investments needed to maintain and expand their systems. Utilities requested rate increases in recent years to pay for…

Global clean technology and power market mergers and acquisitions have totaled $105 billion with 234 deals so far this year, slightly ahead of the 2023 pace, according to Enverus Research Intelligence. There were $79 billion in deals in the first half of 2024 and another $26 billion to date in the third quarter. The level…

Southern California Edison Seeks to Recover $1.6 Billion of Wildfire-Related Losses Aug. 29, 2024 Southern California Edison, a unit of utility Edison International, said on Thursday it was seeking approval for a settlement agreement to recover nearly 60% of losses related to wildfires and mudslides in 2017 and 2018. Under the agreement with the California…

Hawaiian Electric says customers should not see rate increases due to wildfire settlement August 11, 2024 Customers of Hawaii’s largest electrical utility should not see bill increases due to the utility’s portion of a pending $4 billion Maui wildfire litigation settlement. Scott Seu, president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric’s parent company, said Friday the utility…

CenterPoint Energy sees up to $1.3 bln in restoration costs after Hurricane Beryl July 30, 2024 Electric and gas utility CenterPoint Energy (CNP.N), opens new tab said on Tuesday it expects total costs to restore facilities damaged by Hurricane Beryl to be in the range of $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion. Earlier this month, Hurricane…