TC Energy Corporation Unveils Significant Initiatives Worth CA$2.4 Billion
TC Energy Corporation has initiated two significant initiatives within the natural gas and nuclear power sectors, totaling approximately CA$2.4 billion. This move aligns with the company's strategic focus on meeting anticipated increases in electricity demand, supported by long-term contracts and a regulated rate structure.
A key project is the Northwoods expansion, costing roughly $0.9 billion. This development involves enhancing the ANR pipeline system in the United States, adding capacity to deliver 0.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. This is aimed at meeting power generation needs, particularly in the U.S. Midwest, and is expected to be operational by late 2029, secured by a 20-year agreement.
Simultaneously, TC Energy has approved a Major Component Replacement (MCR) program for Bruce Power’s Unit 5 in Ontario, valued at CA$1.1 billion. This substantial project is slated to commence in late 2026, with operations resuming in early 2030, and is governed by a long-term supply agreement with Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) extending through 2064.
For the first quarter of 2025, TC Energy reported a net income of CA$1.0 billion, equivalent to $0.94 per share, consistent with the prior year. Comparable EBITDA reached CA$2.7 billion, maintaining levels seen in 2024. The company has reaffirmed its annual outlook, anticipating full-year EBITDA between CA$10.7 billion and CA$10.9 billion.
Looking ahead to 2025, TC Energy forecasts gross capital spending between CA$6.1 billion and CA$6.6 billion, with CA$8.5 billion in projects slated for commissioning. This includes the Southeast Gateway pipeline in Mexico, a 715-kilometer pipeline capable of transporting 1.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, completed in under three years and 13% under the original budget. Approval from the Comisión Nacional de Energía (CNE) is expected by the end of May, paving the way for commercial operation.
TC Energy’s U.S. natural gas pipelines experienced an average daily flow of 31 billion cubic feet, a 5% increase from 2024. In Canada, the NGTL system reached a record high of 17.8 billion cubic feet on February 18. Mexico's pipeline system also established a daily record of 4.1 billion cubic feet on March 21, highlighting robust demand and operational efficiency.
The company's cogeneration facilities demonstrated an impressive 98.6% availability rate, thanks to a reduction in unplanned outages. Bruce Power maintained 87% availability despite scheduled maintenance on Unit 5. Modernization efforts are also underway for Units 3 and 4, with projected availability for the remaining reactors expected to be in the low-90% range for 2025.