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Derivatives and Risk Management
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets [Abstract]  
Derivatives and Risk Management

NOTE 8. DERIVATIVES AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Energy Commodity Derivatives

Avista Corp. is exposed to market risks relating to changes in electricity and natural gas commodity prices and certain other fuel prices. Market risk is, in general, the risk of fluctuation in the market price of the commodity being traded and is influenced primarily by supply and demand. Market risk includes the fluctuation in the market price of associated derivative commodity instruments. Avista Corp. utilizes derivative instruments, such as forwards, futures, swap derivatives and options to manage the various risks relating to these commodity price exposures. Avista Corp. has an energy resources risk policy and control procedures to manage these risks.

As part of Avista Corp.'s resource procurement and management operations in the electric business, Avista Corp. engages in an ongoing process of resource optimization, which involves the economic selection from available energy resources to serve Avista Corp.'s load obligations and the use of these resources to capture available economic value through wholesale market transactions. These include sales and purchases of electric capacity and energy, fuel for electric generation, and derivative contracts related to capacity, energy and fuel. Such transactions are part of the process of matching resources with load obligations and hedging a portion of the related financial risks. These transactions range from terms of intra-hour up to multiple years.

As part of its resource procurement and management of its natural gas business, Avista Corp. makes continuing projections of its natural gas loads and assesses available natural gas resources including natural gas storage availability. Natural gas resource planning typically includes peak requirements, low and average monthly requirements and delivery constraints from natural gas supply locations to Avista Corp.'s distribution system. However, daily variations in natural gas demand can be significantly different than monthly demand projections. Based on these projections, Avista Corp. plans and executes a series of transactions to hedge a portion of its projected natural gas requirements through forward market transactions and derivative instruments. These transactions may extend as much as three natural gas operating years (November through October) into the future. Avista Corp. also leaves a significant portion of its natural gas supply requirements unhedged for purchase in short-term and spot markets.

Avista Corp. plans for sufficient natural gas delivery capacity to serve its retail customers for a theoretical peak day event. Avista Corp. generally has more pipeline and storage capacity than what is needed during periods other than a peak day. Avista Corp. optimizes its natural gas resources by using market opportunities to generate economic value that mitigates the fixed costs. Avista Corp. also optimizes its natural gas storage capacity by purchasing and storing natural gas when prices are traditionally lower, typically in the summer, and withdrawing during higher priced months, typically during the winter. However, if market conditions and prices indicate that Avista Corp. should buy or sell natural gas at other times during the year, Avista Corp. engages in optimization transactions to capture value in the marketplace. Natural gas optimization activities include, but are not limited to, wholesale market sales of surplus natural gas supplies, purchases and sales of natural gas to optimize use of pipeline and storage capacity, and participation in the transportation capacity release market.

The following table presents the underlying energy commodity derivative volumes as of December 31, 2023 expected to be delivered in each respective year (in thousands of MWhs and mmBTUs):

 

 

Purchases

 

 

Sales

 

 

 

Electric Derivatives

 

 

Gas Derivatives

 

 

Electric Derivatives

 

 

Gas Derivatives

 

Year

 

Physical (1)
MWh

 

 

Financial (1)
MWh

 

 

Physical (1)
mmBTUs

 

 

Financial (1)
mmBTUs

 

 

Physical (1)
MWh

 

 

Financial (1)
MWh

 

 

Physical (1)
mmBTUs

 

 

Financial (1)
mmBTUs

 

2024

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,747

 

 

 

74,596

 

 

 

472

 

 

 

510

 

 

 

1,723

 

 

 

12,038

 

2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,505

 

 

 

19,590

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

96

 

 

 

1,115

 

 

 

1,125

 

2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,570

 

 

 

3,940

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2023, there are no expected deliveries of energy commodity derivatives after 2026.

The following table presents the underlying energy commodity derivative volumes as of December 31, 2022 that were expected to be delivered in each respective year (in thousands of MWhs and mmBTUs):

 

 

Purchases

 

 

Sales

 

 

 

Electric Derivatives

 

 

Gas Derivatives

 

 

Electric Derivatives

 

 

Gas Derivatives

 

Year

 

Physical (1)
MWh

 

 

Financial (1)
MWh

 

 

Physical (1)
mmBTUs

 

 

Financial (1)
mmBTUs

 

 

Physical (1)
MWh

 

 

Financial (1)
MWh

 

 

Physical (1)
mmBTUs

 

 

Financial (1)
mmBTUs

 

2023

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,140

 

 

 

79,253

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

1,011

 

 

 

4,145

 

 

 

29,473

 

2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

533

 

 

 

30,658

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,370

 

 

 

9,668

 

2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

450

 

 

 

4,895

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,115

 

 

 

1,125

 

As of December 31, 2022, there were no expected deliveries of energy commodity derivatives after 2025.

(1)
Physical transactions represent commodity transactions in which Avista Corp. will take or make delivery of either electricity or natural gas; financial transactions represent derivative instruments with delivery of cash in the amount of
the benefit or cost but with no physical delivery of the commodity, such as futures, swap derivatives, options, or forward contracts.

The electric and natural gas derivative contracts above will be included in either power supply costs or natural gas supply costs during the period they are scheduled to be delivered and will be included in the various deferral and recovery mechanisms (ERM, PCA, and PGAs), or in the general rate case process, and are expected to be recovered through retail rates from customers.

Foreign Currency Exchange Derivatives

A significant portion of Avista Corp.'s natural gas supply (including fuel for power generation) is obtained from Canadian sources. Most of those transactions are executed in U.S. dollars, which avoids foreign currency risk. A portion of Avista Corp.’s short-term natural gas transactions and long-term Canadian transportation contracts are committed based on Canadian currency prices. The short term natural gas transactions are settled within 60 days with U.S. dollars. Avista Corp. hedges a portion of the foreign currency risk by purchasing Canadian currency exchange derivatives when such commodity transactions are initiated. The foreign currency exchange derivatives and the unhedged foreign currency risk have not had a material effect on Avista Corp.’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows and these differences in cost related to currency fluctuations are included with natural gas supply costs for ratemaking.

The following table summarizes the foreign currency exchange derivatives outstanding as of December 31 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Number of contracts

 

 

5

 

 

 

19

 

Notional amount (in United States dollars)

 

$

81

 

 

$

8,563

 

Notional amount (in Canadian dollars)

 

 

109

 

 

 

11,659

 

Interest Rate Swap Derivatives

Avista Corp. is affected by fluctuating interest rates related to a portion of its existing debt, and future borrowing requirements. Avista Corp. may hedge a portion of its interest rate risk with financial derivative instruments, including interest rate swap derivatives. These interest rate swap derivatives are considered economic hedges against fluctuations in future cash flows associated with anticipated debt issuances.

The following table summarizes the unsettled interest rate swap derivatives outstanding as of the balance sheet date indicated below (dollars in thousands):

Balance Sheet Date

 

Number of Contracts

 

 

Notional Amount

 

 

Mandatory Cash
Settlement Date

 December 31, 2023

 

 

2

 

 

$

20,000

 

 

2024

 

 

1

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

2025

 December 31, 2022

 

 

4

 

 

$

40,000

 

 

2023

 

 

1

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

2024

The fair value of outstanding interest rate swap derivatives can vary significantly from period to period depending on the total notional amount of swap derivatives outstanding and fluctuations in market interest rates compared to the interest rates fixed by the swaps. Avista Corp. is required to make cash payments to settle the interest rate swap derivatives when the fixed rates are higher than prevailing market rates at the date of settlement. Conversely, Avista Corp. receives cash to settle its interest rate swap derivatives when prevailing market rates at the time of settlement exceed the fixed swap rates.

Summary of Outstanding Derivative Instruments

The amounts recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 reflect the offsetting of derivative assets and liabilities where a legal right of offset exists.

The following table presents the fair values and locations of derivative instruments recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Fair Value

 

Derivative and Balance Sheet Location

 

Gross
Asset

 

 

Gross
Liability

 

 

Collateral
Netting

 

 

Net Asset
(Liability)
on Balance
Sheet

 

Foreign currency exchange derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current assets

 

$

2

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

2

 

Interest rate swap derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current assets

 

 

3,667

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,667

 

Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits

 

 

 

 

 

(182

)

 

 

 

 

 

(182

)

Energy commodity derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current assets

 

 

8,531

 

 

 

(379

)

 

 

 

 

 

8,152

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

19,510

 

 

 

(79,082

)

 

 

42,355

 

 

 

(17,217

)

Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits

 

 

2,913

 

 

 

(20,633

)

 

 

 

 

 

(17,720

)

Total derivative instruments recorded on the
   balance sheet

 

$

34,623

 

 

$

(100,276

)

 

$

42,355

 

 

$

(23,298

)

The following table presents the fair values and locations of derivative instruments recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Fair Value

 

Derivative and Balance Sheet Location

 

Gross
Asset

 

 

Gross
Liability

 

 

Collateral
Netting

 

 

Net Asset
(Liability)
on Balance
Sheet

 

Foreign currency exchange derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current assets

 

$

43

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

43

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

Interest rate swap derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current assets

 

 

8,536

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,536

 

Other property and investments-net and other non-current assets

 

 

2,648

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,648

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

(52

)

 

 

 

 

 

(52

)

Energy commodity derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current assets

 

 

32,257

 

 

 

(22,638

)

 

 

 

 

 

9,619

 

Other property and investments-net and other
   non-current assets

 

 

312

 

 

 

(16

)

 

 

 

 

 

296

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

107,902

 

 

 

(229,607

)

 

 

94,850

 

 

 

(26,855

)

Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits

 

 

6,049

 

 

 

(24,530

)

 

 

10,589

 

 

 

(7,892

)

Total derivative instruments recorded on the
   balance sheet

 

$

157,747

 

 

$

(276,846

)

 

$

105,439

 

 

$

(13,660

)

Exposure to Demands for Collateral

Avista Corp.'s derivative contracts often require collateral (in the form of cash or letters of credit) or other credit enhancements, or reductions or terminations of a portion of the contract through cash settlement. In the event of changes in market prices or a downgrade in Avista Corp.'s credit ratings or other established credit criteria, additional collateral may be required. In periods of price volatility, the level of exposure can change significantly. As a result, sudden and significant demands may be made against Avista Corp.'s credit facilities and cash. Avista Corp. actively monitors the exposure to possible collateral calls and takes steps to mitigate capital requirements.

The following table presents collateral outstanding related to its derivative instruments as of December 31 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Energy commodity derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash collateral posted

 

$

43,095

 

 

$

171,581

 

Letters of credit outstanding

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

49,425

 

Balance sheet offsetting (cash collateral against net derivative positions)

 

 

42,355

 

 

 

105,439

 

There were no letters of credit outstanding related to interest rate swap derivatives as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Certain of Avista Corp.’s derivative instruments contain provisions requiring Avista Corp. to maintain an “investment grade” credit rating from the major credit rating agencies. If Avista Corp.’s credit ratings were to fall below “investment grade,” it would be in violation of these provisions, and the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions.

The following table presents the aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features in a liability position and the amount of additional collateral Avista Corp. could be required to post as of December 31 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

2023

 

Interest rate swap derivatives

 

 

 

Liabilities with credit-risk-related contingent features

 

$

182

 

Additional collateral to post

 

 

182

 

Energy commodity derivatives

 

 

 

Liabilities with credit-risk-related contingent features

 

$

18,016

 

Additional collateral to post

 

 

15,125