Puget Energy 2003 Annual Report FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
generations Puget Energy 2003 Annual Report FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Puget Energy Summary of results Dollars in thousands, except per share data Year ended December 31 2003 2002 % Change Operating revenues $2,491,523 $2,392,322 4.1)% Income for common stock $ 116,197 $ 110,052 5.6)% Earnings per share (basic) $ 1.23 $ 1.24 (1.1)% Earnings per share (diluted) $ 1.22 $ 1.24 (1.7)% Return on average common equity 7.3% 7.6% (3.9)% Common stock dividend per share $ 1.00 $ 1.21 (17.4)% Diluted common shares outstanding (weighted average) 95,309 88,777 7.4)% Common shareholders of record 43,200 45,200 (4.4)% Total assets at year end $5,674,685 $5,772,133 (1.7)% Puget Sound Energy Summary of results Dollars in thousands Year ended December 31 2003 2002 % Change Operating revenues $2,149,736 $2,072,793 3.7)% Income for common stock $ 114,735 $ 101,117 13.5)% Return on average common equity 7.7% 7.5% 2.7)% Total assets at year end $5,334,787 $5,453,390 (2.2)% Electric customers 977,743 957,982 2.1)% Gas customers 644,629 621,967 3.6)% Senior debt ratings (S&P/Moody’s) BBB/Baa2 BBB/Baa2 Commercial paper ratings (S&P/Moody’s) A3/P2 A3/P2 Number of employees 2,155 2,113 2.0)% InfrastruX Group Summary of results Dollars in thousands Year ended December 31 2003 2002 % Change Operating revenues $ 341,787 $ 319,529 7.0)% Income for common stock1 $ 1,643 $9,455 (82.6)% Return on average common equity 1.6% 10.2%(84.3)% Total assets at year end $ 342,332 $ 319,248 7.2)% Number of employees 3,009 2,547 18.1)% 1 Net of minority interest of $177 and $867 for 2003 and 2002, respectively. Forward-looking Statements This annual report contains forward- Forward-looking statements may use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” looking statements to help readers understand the plans and expectations of “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” ”predicts,” “projects,” “will management. Actual results and actions, however, may diVer materially from likely result,” “will continue” or similar expressions but include any statement those described in such statements owing to various risks and uncertainties that is not historical in nature. Such statements in this report speak only as as described in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial of the date of publication. Puget Energy and Puget Sound Energy disclaim Condition and Results of Operations (page 43). Consequently, readers are any obligation to update these statements publicly should changes arise in the cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. companies’ expectations or plans or in the risks and uncertainties they face. generation is the key to meeting the needs of all our stakeholders. It is our job to safeguard and build on our shareholders’ investment. And it is our obligation to meet the energy needs—today and tomorrow—of the customers of Puget Sound Energy, our investor-owned, regulated gas and electric utility. While we cannot predict the future, we can plan for it. We have a comprehen- sive strategy to address the interests of our shareholders and to provide our region with reliable, low-cost energy for generations. Puget Energy (NYSE: PSD) is the holding company for Puget Sound Energy (PSE). PSE is a regulated utility that distributes natural gas and electricity to more than 977,000 electric customers and 644,000 natural gas customers in Washington state. Puget Energy also includes a smaller subsidiary, InfrastruX Group, a nonregulated business that provides utility construction and maintenance services. Power to the people. We are securing new generation for today’s customers and future generations. 2 Nothing is more important to our company’s power-only resource rate case in the fourth quar- future than meeting our customers’ growing energy ter of 2003 for regulatory approval to include this demands with reliable, aVordably priced energy clean-burning, gas-fired plant’s purchase costs in service. It’s the key to meeting our shareholders’ our rate base, and to reXect changes to power costs interests too. Our strategy for success starts with embedded in our current electric rates. securing additional power generation. In 2003, But our quest for additional, cost-eVective Puget Sound Energy purchased 73 percent of the power supply for today’s customers and future power we delivered. In the next decade, we estimate generations doesn’t stop with the Frederickson we will need to secure 1,700 average megawatts to acquisition. We have solicited cost-competitive meet customers’ energy demands. This will help bids to obtain more than 400 megawatts’ worth of insulate customers from market volatility while additional resources, including wind-powered building our asset portfolio for shareholders. generation and increased conservation. In 2003, Puget began securing generation for We also reinforced our delivery system to both the future while still responding well to our cus- maintain our above-average service level and to tomers’ immediate needs. keep up with customer growth. In December, the After a careful and deliberate analysis of our most damaging winter storm in more than a decade power-supply options, we purchased a 49.85 per- required 18,000 wire splices, and replacing 200 cent share (137 megawatts) of Frederickson Power downed poles and 72 miles of downed lines. LP’s plant near Tacoma, Washington, right in the Remarkably, in four days we restored power to middle of our utility’s service territory. We filed a approximately 250,000 customers. 3 The energy is greener over here. We are meeting the diverse needs of a distinctly diverse market. Sometimes the right thing to do and the right thing In 2003, state regulators approved our to do for business are exactly the same. It’s the rea- process for seeking 150 megawatts of wind-power son we have an open-book approach centered on capacity. We expect to both purchase wind power collaborative relationships with all our stakeholders. and be among the first investor-owned utilities in Puget Sound Energy is developing a diverse our region to take an ownership stake in a wind- power portfolio to meet the varying needs of our generation facility. diverse region. Ours is a green region, literally Our first step in meeting growing energy needs, and figuratively, so our long-term energy plan however, was to significantly expand our conser- includes alternative power. We have set an aggres- vation program. The success of this eVort in 2003 sive goal of supplying 10 percent of customers’ encouraged us to raise the program’s goal. Over electric supply by 2013 from renewable sources, the next 10 years we intend to help customers save like wind power. approximately 20 average megawatts annually. 4 5 Putting our financial house in order. We are rebuilding our financial condition, starting at the ground floor. 6 Many of our stakeholders understand that a finan- of common stock. The proceeds were reinvested to cially strong utility can serve customers far better redeem approximately $94 million of high-cost than a weak one. A stronger credit position, for preferred stock. As a result, interest expense instance, would allow us to hedge fuel costs and decreased $3.4 million in the fourth quarter of mitigate potential run-ups in utility costs, cus- 2003 compared with 2002. This reduction in tomer rates—or both. The result? Less financial interest expense minimized the dilutive impact of risk for customers and shareholders alike. This the higher number of shares outstanding in 2003. sound principle of mutual benefit lies at the very We also boosted our common equity ratio to heart of our five-year strategy for growth. 40 percent by the end of 2003, a full year ahead of In 2003, our company took several significant the target set by state regulators. In 2004, we plan to steps to improve our balance sheet. During the seek regulatory approval to earn on a 45 percent fourth quarter, we sold approximately $100 million equity ratio. 7 Slow and steady takes the prize. We are accomplishing our goals by taking one step at a time. Puget Energy is moving forward at a steady and We never lost sight of our mission to deliver deliberate pace. In 2003, we executed on our this high-quality service while being one of the strategy at a high level. We strengthened our lowest-cost providers of power in the country. balance sheet and launched our long-term energy Reliable service at low cost requires investment in stability program. Puget Sound Energy continues delivery infrastructure, and we continue to make to work closely with regulators to add needed these investments in a thoughtful and disciplined resources in the future. manner as we pursue a new generation of energy In a difficult credit-ratings environment, supplies for the benefit of the next generation of both S&P and Moody’s reXected recognition of customers and shareholders. our initiatives. We remain absolutely committed to These infrastructure investments, combined restoring our credit rating to Triple B plus levels, with 2003’s unusual weather, weighed down our or higher. earnings in 2003 and have pushed out our expected In 2003, Puget provided safe, reliable elec- earnings growth to 2005. We plan to file a general tricity and natural gas in spite of challenging electric and gas rate case in the second quarter of weather: heating degree days that were 11 percent 2004 to recover these infrastructure costs. Mean- warmer than normal in the first quarter, poor while, we were gratified by investors’ supportive hydro conditions from January through May reaction to our 2003 year-end earnings release in and severe storms late in the year.