Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted earnings of $0.82 per share for Q2 2025, exceeding internal budget and overcoming approximately $0.09 of unfavorable weather impacts [6][28] - Year-over-year adjusted earnings decreased from $0.90 per share in Q2 2024 to $0.82 per share in Q2 2025, primarily due to a 26% decrease in cooling degree days [28][29] - The company reaffirmed its full-year adjusted EPS guidance of $3.92 to $4.12 per share, with expectations to achieve the midpoint [6][33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a 1.4% increase in weather-normalized demand in Q2 2025, driven by growth in residential and commercial usage [31] - The exit from the Evergy Ventures business resulted in losses of approximately $0.08 million in Q2 2025, which are excluded from adjusted earnings [30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates a peak demand of 1.1 gigawatts with 500 megawatts online by 2029, supporting an estimated demand growth forecast of 2% to 3% through 2029 [15][32] - The economic development pipeline includes a robust backlog of over 15 gigawatts, with significant interest from large customers in Kansas and Missouri [12][13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to a long-term growth target of 4% to 6% through 2029, focusing on affordability, reliability, and sustainability [8][33] - The company aims to invest in grid modernization and new generation resources to support higher capacity margin requirements and accommodate load growth from potential large customers [11][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving a balanced approach to meet customer demand and generation needs, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in operations [68] - The company highlighted the supportive regulatory environment in Kansas and Missouri as a key factor in attracting new customers and investments [20][24] Other Important Information - The company achieved several regulatory milestones, including approvals for new natural gas plants and solar farms in both Kansas and Missouri [7][19] - The Kansas Central rate case settlement, if approved, would provide a net revenue increase of $128 million and establish a mechanism for sharing excess earnings with customers [9][10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you expand on the timing to derisk equity needs beyond 2025? - Management indicated no planned equity raise in 2025, with approximately $600 million needed in 2026 and 2027, and flexibility in accessing equity markets [41][42] Question: How would a lower ramp from Panasonic impact load growth? - Management stated that the current forecast includes only 2% to 3% load growth, with additional customers potentially increasing this to 4% to 5% [44] Question: What factors influence the large load customer pipeline? - Management noted that both customer development timelines and the company's ability to process and serve are critical factors [49][51] Question: Is the 8.5% rate base growth inclusive of new gas plants and solar? - Management confirmed that the 8.5% reflects the rate base growth associated with the $17.5 billion capital plan, including some approved projects [58][62] Question: How does the company view federal permitting for renewable projects? - Management expressed confidence that approved solar projects will qualify under current regulations, while remaining flexible to adapt to evolving federal guidelines [81][83]
Evergy(EVRG) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript