Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for 2025 increased by 16% year-over-year to $469.5 million, with net income improving to $41.9 million [4] - Adjusted EBITDA increased approximately threefold to $56 million, and operating cash flow rose by 23% to $81.1 million [4] - In Q4 2025, total operating revenue increased by 8% to $102.4 million, with a net loss of $0.2 million compared to a net loss of $215.8 million in the prior year [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Electric sales for the full year increased by approximately 19% to $310.7 million, while coal sales rose by 8% year-over-year to $148.7 million [4][5] - In Q4 2025, electric sales increased by 3% to $71.6 million, and coal sales surged by 24% to $29.1 million [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The demand for reliable dispatchable generation in the MISO region is strong, with tightening supply conditions due to the retirement of dispatchable assets [7] - The company has made progress in selling energy and capacity at elevated prices, with competitive offers for accredited capacity [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is advancing its transformation into a vertically integrated independent power producer, focusing on maintaining operational reliability and executing strategic initiatives for long-term growth [10] - Plans to expand generation capacity at the Merom site through the ERAS program, targeting the addition of up to 515 MW of natural gas generation by Q3 2029 [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the current market conditions and the increasing interest from utilities and industrial users for long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) [25] - Operational challenges at the Merom power plant were acknowledged, with a planned major maintenance outage expected to improve performance [28] Other Important Information - The company completed a $25 million prepaid energy forward sales contract and raised approximately $14 million through an ATM offering [18] - A new $120 million senior secured credit facility was established to support growth initiatives [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the main gating items for long-term PPA opportunities? - Management indicated that multiple parties are involved in negotiations, with increasing pricing pressure and interest from various utilities [24] Question: Can you elaborate on the operational issues at Merom? - Management noted equipment failures that affected plant availability, with a planned outage for major maintenance expected to enhance reliability [27] Question: What factors will determine the completion date for the natural gas expansion? - The timing depends on securing equipment and long-term PPAs, with a focus on negotiating favorable terms [32] Question: Will long-term PPAs be announced in several tranches? - Management expects to announce multiple PPAs rather than a single large deal [39] Question: What is the impact of recent EPA decisions on MACT requirements? - Most plants, including Merom, are already compliant, and while ongoing costs remain, the changes may ease operational burdens [36]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total operating revenue increased to $117.8 million for Q1 2025 compared to $94.8 million in Q4 2024 and $111.6 million in the prior year period [14] - Net income improved to $10 million for Q1 2025 compared to net losses of $215.8 million in Q4 2024 and the prior year period [14] - Operating cash flow increased to $38.4 million for Q1 2025 compared to $32.5 million in Q4 2024 and $16.4 million in the prior year period [14] - Adjusted EBITDA increased significantly to $19.3 million for Q1 2025 compared to $6.2 million in Q4 2024 and $6.8 million in the prior year period [14] - Total bank debt reduced to $23 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $44 million at December 31, 2024, and $77 million at March 31, 2024 [15] - Total liquidity increased to $69 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $37.8 million at December 31, 2024, and $39.5 million at March 31, 2024 [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Electric sales for Q1 2025 increased to $85.9 million compared to $69.7 million in Q4 2024 and $60.7 million in the prior year period [13] - Coal sales were $54.8 million for Q1 2025 compared to $42.4 million in Q4 2024 and $66 million in the prior year period, reflecting a strategic reduction in coal production [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The forward power curves indicate increasing margins for energy produced at the Merum plant, with accredited capacity sold at prices exceeding $600 per megawatt day in the recent MISO auction [9] - Approximately 3 million megawatt hours have been contracted for the balance of 2025 at an average price of $37.20, and 3.4 million megawatt hours for 2026 at an average price of $44.43 [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a strategic shift to a vertically integrated independent power producer, leveraging strong counterparty relationships to manage price volatility [5] - Ongoing negotiations with a leading global data center developer are progressing, with the potential for long-term supply agreements [6] - The company is exploring opportunities to acquire additional dispatchable assets to enhance scale and diversify revenue streams [7] - Plans to evaluate the addition of natural gas co-firing capabilities at the Merum plant to provide fuel flexibility and manage operating expenses [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management believes the trend of retiring dispatchable generators in favor of non-dispatchable resources will lead to energy market volatility, enhancing the value of their subsidiary, Howard Power [7] - The company expects to produce approximately 3.8 million tons of coal in 2025, with the potential to increase production if market conditions support it [11] - There is growing demand for reliable power, particularly as grid volatility increases, positioning the company well for sustained growth [12] Other Important Information - The company did not utilize its ATM program in the first quarter and has not used it since Q2 2024 [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Regarding the exclusivity period with the initial counterparty - Management is evaluating whether to grant an extension for the exclusivity period or continue negotiations non-exclusively while considering other interests [20] Question: Final steps in negotiations with the initial counterparty - Most major points have been negotiated, and the focus is now on finalizing details with the hyperscaler and ensuring alignment among all parties [22] Question: Timing and capital intensity for co-firing with natural gas - The company is analyzing the feasibility of co-firing and expects to provide updates in the future, indicating that the project is very feasible [25] Question: Structure of long-term deals with hyperscalers - The negotiated structure for energy sales is on a unit contingent basis for over a decade in length [26]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total operating revenue for Q1 2025 increased to $117.8 million compared to $94.8 million in Q4 2024 and $111.6 million in the prior year period [16] - Net income improved to $10 million in Q1 2025 from a net loss of $215.8 million in Q4 2024 and the prior year period [16] - Operating cash flow increased to $38.4 million in Q1 2025 from $32.5 million in Q4 2024 and $16.4 million in the prior year period [16] - Adjusted EBITDA rose significantly to $19.3 million in Q1 2025 from $6.2 million in Q4 2024 and $6.8 million in the prior year period [16] - Total bank debt was reduced to $23 million as of March 31, 2025, down from $44 million at the end of Q4 2024 and $77 million at the end of Q1 2024 [17] - Total liquidity increased to $69 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $37.8 million at the end of Q4 2024 and $39.5 million at the end of Q1 2024 [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Electric sales for Q1 2025 increased to $85.9 million compared to $69.7 million in Q4 2024 and $60.7 million in the prior year period [15] - Coal sales were $54.8 million for Q1 2025, compared to $42.4 million in Q4 2024 and $66 million in the prior year period, reflecting a strategic reduction in coal production [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The forward power curves indicate increasing margins for energy produced at the Merum plant, with accredited capacity sold at prices exceeding $600 per megawatt day in the recent MISO auction [10] - Approximately 3 million megawatt hours have been contracted for the balance of 2025 at an average price of $37.20, and 3.4 million megawatt hours for 2026 at an average price of $44.43, reflecting strong market demand [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on becoming a vertically integrated independent power producer, leveraging strong counterparty relationships to manage price volatility and demand fluctuations [5][6] - Ongoing negotiations with a leading global data center developer are progressing, with the potential for long-term energy supply agreements [6][7] - The company is exploring opportunities to acquire additional dispatchable assets to enhance scale and diversify revenue streams [8] - Plans to evaluate the addition of natural gas co-firing capabilities at the Merum plant to provide fuel flexibility and manage operating expenses [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management believes that the trend of retiring dispatchable generators in favor of non-dispatchable resources will create volatility in energy markets, enhancing the value of their operations [8] - The company expects to produce approximately 3.8 million tons of coal in 2025, with the potential to increase production if market conditions support it [12] - There is growing demand for reliable power, particularly as grid volatility increases, positioning the company well for sustained growth [14] Other Important Information - The company did not utilize its ATM program in the first quarter and has not used it since Q2 2024 [17] - The company is optimistic about selling energy at higher prices in support of data center development and traditional wholesale customers beyond 2026 [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Regarding the exclusivity period with the counterparty - Management is evaluating whether to grant an extension for the exclusivity period or continue negotiations non-exclusively while considering other interests [20][22] Question: Final steps in negotiations with the initial counterparty - Most major points have been negotiated, and the focus is now on finalizing details with the hyperscaler and ensuring alignment among all parties [24][25] Question: Timing and capital intensity for co-firing with natural gas - The company is analyzing the feasibility of co-firing and expects to provide updates in the future, with positive indications from contractors [26][28] Question: Structure of long-term deals with hyperscalers - The structure has been negotiated to be on a unit contingent basis for over a decade in length [30]