Leases

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

Leases - MGE Energy and MGE.

As part of its regular operations, MGE enters into various contracts related to IT equipment, substations, cell towers, land, wind easements, and other property in use for operations. A contract is or contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant, or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Determination as to whether an arrangement is or contains a lease is completed at inception. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets; lease expense for these leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Leases with initial terms in excess of 12 months are recorded as operating or financing leases on the consolidated balance sheets.

Operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. For leases that do not provide an implicit rate, a collateralized incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date, including lease term, is used in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. MGE has regulatory treatment and recognizes regulatory assets or liabilities for timing differences between when net lease costs are recorded and when costs are recognized. As of December 31, 2020, MGE had no significant leases not yet commenced that would create significant future rights and obligations.

The following table shows lease expense for the years ended December 31:

(In thousands)		2020		2019	Income Statement Location
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of leased assets	$	1,694	$	1,524	Depreciation and amortization
Interest on lease liabilities		784		792	Interest expense, net
Operating lease expense		319		144	Other operations and maintenance
Total lease expense	$	2,797	$	2,460

The following table shows the lease assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31:

(In thousands)		2020		2019	Balance Sheet Location
Lease assets:
Finance lease assets	$	15,682	$	15,895	Property, plant, and equipment, net
Operating lease assets(a)		5,988		671	Other deferred assets and other
Total lease assets	$	21,670	$	16,566
Lease liabilities:
Finance lease liabilities - current	$	1,066	$	888	Other current liabilities
Finance lease liabilities - long-term		17,532		17,379	Finance lease liabilities
Operating lease liabilities - current		171		203	Other current liabilities
Operating lease liabilities - long-term(a)		5,840		496	Other deferred liabilities and other
Total lease liabilities	$	24,609	$	18,966

(a)Increase in operating lease assets and long-term operating lease liabilities related to land leases for new solar farms in 2020.

The following table shows other lease information for the years ended December 31:

(In thousands)		2020		2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Finance leases - Financing cash flows	$	1,149	$	945
Finance leases - Operating cash flows		784		792
Operating leases - Operating cash flows		319		134
Lease assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Finance leases		1,480		12,101
Operating leases		5,791		657

The following table shows the weighted average remaining lease terms and discounts as of December 31:

Weighted-average remaining lease terms (in years):	2020		2019
Finance leases	37		39
Operating leases	34		15
Weighted-average discount rates:
Finance leases	4.32	%	4.37	%
Operating leases	2.84	%	3.32	%

The following table shows maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31:

(In thousands)		Finance		Operating
2021	$	1,820	$	338
2022		1,700		274
2023		1,520		203
2024		959		207
2025		774		211
Thereafter		39,787		8,636
Subtotal		46,560		9,869
Less: Present value discount		(27,962)		(3,858)
Lease Liability	$	18,598	$	6,011