(Sempra, 29.Jun.2021) — Sempra‘s (NYSE: SRE) (BMV: SRE) senior management team is providing an update on the company’s strategy, operations and financial outlook at its 2021 Virtual Investor Day.
“Over the next decade, we see the economies of North America becoming increasingly integrated,” said Jeffrey W. Martin, chairman and CEO of Sempra. “As a company, we are well positioned to build the critical energy infrastructure that will be needed to support new growth, while accelerating North America’s transition to cleaner forms of energy. Our competitive advantage lies in our enterprise-wide commitment to innovation, sustainability and leadership.”
Sempra’s three business platforms – Sempra California, Sempra Texas and Sempra Infrastructure – are strategically positioned in some of the largest economies in North America with a critical role in the energy future. The company’s strategic priorities are centered on executing a $32bn capital plan, strengthening the balance sheet and returning value to shareholders. Sempra’s robust capital plan focuses on its utilities and provides strong visibility to future earnings growth.
Earnings Guidance
“In the last several years, we have realigned our portfolio with the objective of simplifying the business while improving our financial results – and it is paying dividends,” said Trevor Mihalik, executive vice president and chief financial officer for Sempra. “Today, the strength of Sempra’s balance sheet and a leading earnings growth profile bolster our mission to be North America’s premier energy infrastructure company.”
Sempra is increasing its full-year 2021 GAAP EPS guidance range to $7.67 to $8.27 and increasing its full-year 2021 adjusted EPS guidance range to $7.75 to $8.35. Sempra is also announcing its full-year 2022 EPS guidance range of $8.10 to $8.70.
Sempra California
Sempra’s California platform, San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), are helping to decarbonize the state’s energy system, while working to provide safe, reliable and cleaner energy to approximately 26 million consumers. Recent operating highlights include:
- Received a decision at SDG&E and SoCalGas in their Petition for Modification of the 2019 General Rate Case (GRC) establishing attrition rates for 2022 and 2023. This decision supports the constructive outcomes of the GRC, which was based on the Risk Assessment Mitigation Phase process and the continued delivery of safe and reliable service to customers.
- Announced goals at SDG&E and SoCalGas to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2045 across emission scopes 1, 2 and 3.
Sempra Texas
Sempra’s Texas platform includes Oncor Electric Delivery Co. LLC and Sharyland Utilities whose businesses continue to modernize and extend their transmission and distribution networks to connect customers to cleaner sources of electricity. Supported by increasing population growth in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Oncor has continued to grow its customer base anchored by a strong commitment to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Oncor’s recent operating highlights include:
- Added approximately 77,000 additional premises in 2020, the best organic growth for the company since 2007 and two times the national average.
- Achieved one of the highest safety records in the utility’s history.
- Delivered top quartile reliability in 2020, ahead of its 2022 goal.
Sempra Infrastructure
Sempra Infrastructure is well-positioned to advance growth opportunities by continuing to develop, build, and operate the energy systems of the future. The new business platform is expected to create increased shareholder value and provide an improved platform for innovation and potential new investments in renewables, hydrogen, green ammonia, energy storage and carbon sequestration.
Through a series of transactions announced last year, Sempra formed Sempra Infrastructure, a strategic growth platform with an implied enterprise value of approximately $25.2bn, including expected asset-related debt of $8.37bn. In April, Sempra announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to sell a non-controlling 20% interest in Sempra Infrastructure to KKR for $3.37bn in cash, subject to adjustments. The sale is expected to close in the coming weeks. Additionally, in May, Sempra announced the completion of its exchange offer to acquire the outstanding shares of IEnova (Infraestructura Energética Nova, S.A.B de C.V.) not owned by Sempra. Sempra’s ownership interest in IEnova increased to 96.4%, exceeding its initial target of 95% ownership of IEnova through the exchange offer.
Sempra Infrastructure continues to advance its liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects under development and in operation, with a view toward improving energy diversification in foreign markets and supporting the global energy transition.
Additionally, in Mexico, the company is currently operating and constructing approximately 1,000 megawatts of renewables projects with a development pipeline of nearly 3 gigawatts of cross-border solar, wind and battery projects.
Utilizing Technology and Innovation to Drive Energy Transition
The Sempra family of companies are focusing on the importance of innovation, technology and leadership to better serve customers, improve operational safety and efficiency, and support the modernization of energy systems. Notable examples over the past year include:
- SDG&E continued its top-tier wildfire mitigation efforts with a focus on innovation and weather science. The utility has invested more than $3bn building a more wildfire resistant system, including implementing a robust weather network, using drone and satellite imaging for asset and vegetation management, and fire hardening its infrastructure assets.
- SoCalGas’ H2 Hydrogen Home is the first project of its kind in the U.S. demonstrating how carbon-free gas made from renewable electricity can be used in pure form (or as a blend) to fuel the clean energy systems of the future. The project was recently named one of Fast Company’s “World-Changing Ideas” in the North America category, which honors innovations for the good of society and the planet.
- Oncor inspects approximately 3,700 miles of electrical infrastructure each year with aerial technology capturing digital imagery to create 3D models of the transmission system to identify public safety concerns, component issues, property encroachments, and vegetation management issues.
Sempra Brand Updated to Reflect Infrastructure-Focused Strategy
Sempra has refreshed its brand to create better alignment with the company’s North American infrastructure strategy, including removing “Energy” from its wordmark. Modernizing the brand also supports the company’s vision to deliver energy with purpose, ideal of service to others and long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship.
Sempra’s new brand name will be effective with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on 2 July 2021. The legal name of the company will continue to be Sempra Energy, doing business as Sempra. The company’s common stock will continue trading under the ticker symbol “SRE.”
Non-GAAP Financial Measure
This press release includes Sempra’s 2021 adjusted EPS guidance range, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the appendix for additional information regarding this non-GAAP financial measure.
APPENDIX
RECONCILIATION OF SEMPRA 2021 ADJUSTED EPS GUIDANCE RANGE (Unaudited)
Sempra 2021 updated Adjusted EPS Guidance Range of $7.75 to $8.35 excludes items (after the effects of income taxes and, if applicable, noncontrolling interests) as follows:
- $3mn impact from foreign currency and inflation and associated undesignated derivatives for the three months ended 31 March 2021(1)
- $(29)mn net unrealized losses on commodity derivatives for the three months ended 31 March 2021
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