Company: POR
Filing Date: 2025-02-14
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0000784977-25-000012
Chunk: 77

Company: PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC CO /OR/
Filing Date: 2025-02-14
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 77
---
 derivative instruments and cash requirements to purchase power and natural gas. If power and natural gas prices decrease from those contained in the Company’s existing purchased power and natural gas agreements, PGE may be required to provide increased collateral, which could adversely affect the Company’s liquidity. Conversely, if power and natural gas prices rise, especially during periods when the Company requires greater-than-expected volumes that must be purchased at market or short-term prices, PGE could incur greater costs than originally estimated. PGE’s contract positions may not be fully hedged against commodity prices, and hedges or other risk mitigations may not protect against significant losses.

The risk of volatility in power costs is partially mitigated through the AUT and the PCAM. Application of the PCAM requires that PGE absorb certain power cost increases before the Company is allowed to recover any amount from customers. Accordingly, the PCAM is expected to only partially mitigate the potentially adverse financial impacts of forced generating plant outages, reduced hydro and wind availability, interruptions in fuel supplies, and volatile wholesale energy prices. A new mechanism, the Reliability Contingency Event (RCE), which, like the PCAM, allows for cost sharing and deferral of certain costs for specific events, was introduced through the 2024 GRC. This mechanism expires at the end of 2025.

PGE has put in place risk management policies, procedures, and controls to identify, quantify, and manage risk, however, these systems, processes, tools, and controls may not prevent material losses. Risk management procedures may not always be followed as intended, may not operate as designed, or may not identify all potential risks, including, without limitation, severe weather or employee misconduct. There is no assurance that PGE’s risk management procedures will be effective in preventing or mitigating losses, and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operation and financial condition. 

Reduced river flows, unfavorable wind conditions, reduced capacity or degradation of solar panels, and forced outages at generating and battery storage facilities can increase the cost of power required to serve customers. The Company could be required to replace energy expected from these sources with higher cost power from other facilities or with wholesale market purchases, which could have an adverse effect on results of operations.

PGE derives a significant portion of its power supply from its own hydroelectric facilities and long-term purchase contracts with certain public utility districts in the state of Washington. Regional rainfall and snowpack levels affect river flows and the resulting amount of energy generated by these facilities. Shortfalls