Pinnacle West(PNW) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings of $3.39 per share for Q3 2025, a modest increase of $0.02 year over year, primarily due to higher transmission revenues and robust sales growth across customer classes [10][11] - The updated 2025 EPS guidance was raised from a range of $4.40-$4.60 per share to $4.90-$5.10 per share, reflecting strong sales growth and increased transmission revenues [11][12] - Weather-normalized sales growth was reported at 5.4% for the quarter, with residential sales growth at 4.3% [11][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced 6.6% growth in commercial and industrial (C&I) sales, supported by large load customers, while residential sales growth was 4.3% [11][12] - Year-to-date residential sales growth stands at 2%, exceeding expectations [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Arizona's population growth remains robust, driven by major employers expanding operations and increasing demand for skilled labor [5] - Maricopa County was named the top county in the nation for economic development in 2025, highlighting the region's success in attracting high-growth industries [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term investments in transmission and baseload generation to secure a reliable grid, with plans for a new generation site near Gila Bend that could add up to 2,000 megawatts of natural gas generation [7][8] - The Desert Sun Power Plant project is designed to serve both existing customers and rising demand from large energy users, with phase one expected to begin serving customers by late 2030 [7][8] - The company is actively working on a subscription model to contract for phase two capacity, ensuring growth pays for growth while maintaining affordability [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to meet rising customer demand and navigate operational challenges, including storms and extreme heat [4][5] - The company anticipates robust customer and sales growth, with weather-normalized sales expected to grow at 4%-6% in 2026 [12][14] - Long-term EPS growth guidance remains at 5%-7%, with a focus on reducing regulatory lag and improving recovery timing [14][16] Other Important Information - The company is engaged in a pending rate case, with a hearing expected in Q2 of the following year [8] - Significant investments in transmission are underway, with cumulative transmission CapEx projected at $2.6 billion through 2028 and over $6 billion through 2034 [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Visibility on 2029 and 2030 gas build - The pipeline is expected to be in service in 2029, with the first phase of the Desert Sun project necessary to support committed customers expected in service by 2030 [18][19] Question: Progress on the subscription model - Active dialogues are ongoing with counterparties for the 1.2 gigawatt opportunity, aligning with the development of phase two of Desert Sun [24] Question: Clarification on equity dilution and needs - The company has substantially de-risked the equity need for 2026, with a total forecasted equity need of $1 billion-$1.2 billion for 2026-2028 [30][31] Question: Year-over-year change in sales growth as an EPS driver - The year-over-year variability in large load customers contributes to differences in EPS magnitude uplift from sales growth [57] Question: Annual transmission CapEx post-2028 - Specifics of the plan post-2028 have not been laid out, but the company anticipates ongoing investments in strategic transmission projects [33][34]