Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Can LNT's Infrastructure Investments Support Long-Term Growth?

Read MoreHide Full Article

Key Takeaways

  • LNT plans $13.4B through 2029 across generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure.
  • LNT has 3.4 GW of contracted large-customer demand, supporting nearly 60% demand growth by 2031.
  • LNT received final permits for the 720-MW Bobcat Energy Center to add flexible generation capacity.

Alliant Energy (LNT - Free Report) benefits from infrastructure investments that strengthen its generation, transmission and distribution systems while improving operational efficiency and reliability. These investments strengthen operations, assist the company in meeting rising electricity demand and provide opportunities for rate-base expansion.

The company plans to invest nearly $3 billion in 2026 and $13.4 billion through 2029, representing an approximately 12% compound annual growth rate in investment. The plan includes investments across generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. Rising capital investments, including allowances for funds used during construction, are expected to support 5-7% earnings growth through 2029.

Rising electricity demand could strengthen LNT’s long-term growth by supporting continued infrastructure investment and rate-base expansion. LNT has secured 3.4 gigawatts of contracted large-customer demand, which is expected to support nearly 60% growth in projected electricity demand by 2031. The company signed a 370-megawatt (MW) Iowa electric service agreement, while contracted data-center demand reached 3.4 gigawatts (GW). Additional opportunities of 2-4 GW are progressing, supporting load growth through 2030.

Infrastructure spending is also being supported by LNT’s resource-development plans. The company is adding generation capacity to meet rising demand and recently received the final permits to proceed with construction of the 720-MW Bobcat Energy Center in Marshalltown, IA. The natural gas-fired facility is expected to add flexible generation capacity as electricity demand increases.

Overall, LNT’s infrastructure investments, growing large-customer demand and resource-development plans provide opportunities for long-term growth.

Strategic Investments Strengthen Utility Growth

Electric utilities are increasing strategic investments in generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure to strengthen reliability. These investments expand grid capacity, address rising electricity demand and support long-term sustainable financial growth.

PPL Corporation (PPL - Free Report) plans infrastructure and generation investments to support rising electricity demand. PPL plans to invest about $23 billion through 2029 to modernize infrastructure, strengthen reliability and support approximately 10.3% average annual rate-base growth.

FirstEnergy (FE - Free Report) is advancing its Energize365 program to modernize transmission and distribution systems. The company plans $36 billion of capital investments through 2030, supporting reliability, customer growth and long-term earnings expansion.

The Zacks Rundown on LNT

LNT’s Earnings Estimates

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 EPS indicates a year-over-year increase of 6.52% and 7.25%, respectively.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

LNT’s Stock Trading at a Premium 

LNT is trading at a premium to the industry, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 18.53X versus the industry average of 14.48X.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

LNT’s Stock Price Performance

In the past six months, the company’s shares have plunged 7.6% compared with the industry’s 10.7% decline.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

LNT’s Zacks Rank

LNT currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

 

Published in