LES Strategic Plan 2025 - Report - Page 11
STRATEGIC PLAN DEVELOPMENT
Foresight & collaboration
Our plan is based on scenario planning and informed by stakeholder engagement
Among the myriad of uncertainties explored, two stood out as the most
impactful: the degree to which maintaining reliability will be challenged
and the speed and ease of decarbonizing power supply.
The survey data and scenario analysis concludes that over the next ten
years, LES must continue to excel at the activities we currently do well,
while simultaneously evolving to meet the challenges we have identified
on the horizon. This is essential in meeting community expectations and
continuing to be stewards of the community’s electric utility.
Fortunately, LES is embarking on this plan from a position of strength,
having achieved top decile reliability and affordability, all while reducing
the carbon emissions from our generation fleet by 50% from 2010 to 2024.
That said, analyses of technology, economic, demographic and power
market trends highlight the need for LES to prepare for a future that is
more challenging and dynamic than the present.
Meanwhile, community survey data reinforces that maintaining reliability
and affordability, along with continued decarbonization and high-quality
customer service, are all priorities for LES customers. These priorities are
interconnected; success in one pillar of the energy trilemma cannot come
at the expense of another. A balanced approach is essential.
CHALLENGING
Possible
Scenario 1: Energy crunch
The twin challenge of
decarbonization and
reliability pose continued,
growing challenges for the
utility.
Percentage of survey respondents indicating an investment category was
either “Very Important” or “Somewhat Important”
100%
80%
SLOW
Scenario 2: Powering the future
Strong progress in
decarbonization is not being
hindered by increasing reliability
and resilience challenges.
KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON
To ensure effective strategic planning, it is crucial to anticipate future
trends and actively engage with the community to understand its needs.
Early in the strategic planning process, LES leadership developed four
potential scenarios that would likely reflect how the full spectrum of power
generation and delivery could evolve. This scenario-based approach
strengthened our strategic plan by stress-testing it against a range of
uncertainties and ensuring the plan remains adaptable.
ACCELERATED
DECARBONIZATION PACE
60%
Preferred
Scenario 1: Navigating detours
Despite strong reliability,
decarbonization of the grid
slows due to technology, policy
or economic drivers.
40%
20%
0%
Reliability
Affordability
Infrastructure
upgrades
Sustainability
Customer
service and
programs
Figure: Community perspectives on LES strategic planing
Scenario 3: Seamless sustainability
Strong progress in decarbonization
and good levels of reliability and
resilience offer an ideal utility
operating environment.
EASIER
Figure: LES’ Strategic Planning Scenarios
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