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Avangrid (AGR) Rides on Investments & Renewable Portfolio

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Avangrid Inc.’s (AGR - Free Report) long-term capital expenditure plans are expected to further aid its infrastructure and facilities. The company’s expanding wind and solar generation portfolio boosts its performance.

However, failure in accomplishing the projects within time and budget and stringent regulations act as headwinds for the company.

Tailwinds

Avangrid invested a total of $3 billion in 2023, with nearly 74% in its Networks segment and the rest in its Renewables segment and others. In the first half of 2024, the company invested nearly $1.9 billion, up 18.3% from the year-ago period’s figure. Avangrid plans to invest nearly $2.4 billion through the remainder of 2024 to further strengthen its operations.

AGR continues to pursue its organic growth strategy. During the first half of 2024, it submitted proposals in the tri-state off-shore wind request for proposals. AGR executed its multi-year rate plans in New York and Maine, including more than $9 billion of investment authorized for cost recovery in New York.

Avangrid plans to create a clean generation portfolio and achieve Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon neutrality goals by 2035. The company is focused on Vineyard Wind 1 project, an 806 MW utility-scale offshore wind project in Lease Area 501. The project is expected to generate an amount of clean energy equivalent to that used by more than 400,000 households and businesses in Massachusetts and reduce carbon emissions by over 1.6 million tons per year.

Headwinds

The company keeps investing in development opportunities but timely completion of the same and that too within budget might not be possible always, which might adversely impact its financial condition and prospects.

The company is subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations, and changes in the existing or new laws or regulations. The cost of compliance with the regulations could increase the cost of operations, while the utility might lose out on capital opportunities to meet the same.

Focus on Renewable Energy

Cleaner energy sources are progressively being used by the U.S. electric power industry to generate electricity. The majority of companies support the advancement of new technology and strive to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. In the upcoming years, they promise to offer only sustainable energy and meet the zero-emission goal.

To reap the benefits of the expanding renewable energy market, certain companies from the same industry, such as Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL - Free Report) , PPL Corporation (PPL - Free Report) and Dominion Energy (D - Free Report) , are also shifting toward clean energy.

Xcel Energy aims to spend $39 billion during 2024-2028. These investments are aimed at strengthening and expanding XEL’s transmission, distribution, electric generation and renewable projects.

The company is reducing coal usage and targets to lower emissions by at least 80% within 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

PPL aims to make investments to strengthen its grid, electricity and gas distribution, electricity transmission and expand renewable generation capacity. It expects a regulated capital investment of $14.3 billion during 2024-2027.

PPL plans to achieve its carbon emissions target of 70% by 2035 and of 80% by 2040, from its 2010 levels. It will do so through the introduction of new carbon capture technology and the addition of more renewable sources to the generation portfolio.

Dominion Energy has a well-chalked-out long-term capital expenditure plan to strengthen and expand its infrastructure. It plans to invest $9.8 billion in 2024 and $43 billion in the 2025-2029 period to further strengthen its operations.

The company aims to attain net-zero carbon and methane emissions from its electric generation and natural gas infrastructure by 2050. D aims to cut emissions by 70-80% within 2035 from the 2005 level. By 2035, the company also intends to make zero and low-emitting resources accountable for 99% of its electric generation.


 


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