News Release Details

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Portland General Electric Company (NYSE: POR) today reported net income of $69 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2011, compared to $27 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2010, an increase of $42 million. Improved operating results were primarily driven by the combination of higher retail revenues and lower power costs. PGE is increasing its 2011 earnings guidance by $0.10 per diluted share to $1.90 to $2.05, primarily due to improved power supply operations, including the effects of favorable hydro conditions.

Retail revenues increased $43 million, or 10%, in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to a 10% increase in retail energy deliveries. Cooler weather and increased production by certain customers in the paper and high technology sectors were the primary factors contributing to the increase in retail energy deliveries. Residential deliveries increased 12% and commercial and industrial deliveries combined increased 8% in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter of 2010.

Purchased power and fuel expense decreased $30 million, or 13%, in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter of 2010, primarily from a 19% decrease in average variable power cost. During the first quarter of 2011, energy received from hydroelectric resources increased 40% from the first quarter of 2010, and was 16% above normal, compared to 21% below normal in the first quarter of 2010. Favorable hydro conditions resulted in an abundant supply of power from hydroelectric plants in the region and contributed to lower wholesale power prices. Lower-cost power purchased in the wholesale market and increased power provided by the Company's hydro resources economically displaced a significant amount of PGE's thermal generation. Thermal generation represented 24% of PGE's total system load in the first quarter of 2011, compared to 50% in the first quarter of 2010.

"Strong operational performance and favorable weather drove results for the quarter," said Jim Piro, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are making progress with the implementation of our Integrated Resource Plan which outlines strategies to meet our customers' electricity needs over the next 20 years. This future portfolio of resources offers the best combination of cost and risk, and will deliver on our obligation to provide value to our shareholders, customers and the communities we serve."

Integrated Resource Plan

The Public Utility Commission of Oregon has approved the selection of an independent evaluator for the request for proposals (RFPs) to be issued in 2011 pursuant to PGE's Integrated Resource Plan. The RFPs expected to be issued in 2011 include (1) year-round flexible and peaking resources of approximately 200 megawatts, as well as approximately 200 megawatts of bi-seasonal (winter and summer) peaking supply and approximately 150 megawatts of winter-only peaking supply, (2) new renewable resources of approximately 120 average megawatts, and (3) baseload, high-efficiency combined-cycle natural gas generation of approximately 300 to 500 megawatts. The Company plans to submit its own proposals for the construction of these resources.

Additionally, PGE continues to work with other stakeholders in the region on a double-circuit, 200-mile, 500 kV transmission project, Cascade Crossing. PGE has signed Memorandums of Understanding with several parties concerning Cascade Crossing and is actively engaged in the federal, state and tribal permitting process.

First Quarter Operating Results

• Revenues increased $35 million, or 8%, in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to:

◦ A $43 million, or 10%, increase in Retail revenues, largely resulting from:

• A $41 million increase related to the volume of retail energy sold. During the first quarter of 2011, energy deliveries to residential customers increased 12% and energy deliveries to industrial and commercial customers combined increased 8%. The increase in residential deliveries was primarily due to cooler temperatures, while the increase in commercial and industrial deliveries was due primarily to production increases by certain customers in the paper and high technology sectors.

On a weather adjusted basis, retail energy deliveries increased 3.1% in the first quarter of 2011, compared to the first quarter of 2010, and are expected to be approximately 1% higher for the year 2011 compared to the year 2010;

• A $14 million increase related to a 3% increase in average retail prices, resulting primarily from the Company's 2011 General Rate Case, which became effective January 1, 2011; and
• A $15 million decrease related to the customer refund of certain tax credits, the decoupling mechanism, and the Company's power cost adjustment mechanism.

◦ An $8 million, or 38%, decrease in Wholesale revenues, consisting of an 18% decrease in sales volume and a 32% decrease in average price.

• Purchased power and fuel expense decreased $30 million, or 13%, in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter of 2010, consisting of a 19% decrease in average variable power cost, partially offset by a 6% increase in total system load. The average variable power cost decreased to $33.94 per MWh in the first quarter of 2011 from $41.65 per MWh in the first quarter of 2010. During the first quarter of 2011, a significant amount of thermal generation was economically displaced with purchased power and increased energy received from hydro resources. Energy received from hydro resources increased 40% from the first quarter of 2010 and was approximately 16% above normal in the first quarter of 2011, compared to 21% below normal in the first quarter of 2010.
• Administrative and other expense increased $7 million, or 16%, in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter of 2010 largely due to increased incentive compensation, pension expense and information technology costs.
• Income taxes increased $12 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter of 2010 primarily due to higher taxable income.

2011 Earnings Guidance

PGE is increasing 2011 earnings guidance from the previously reported range of $1.80 to $1.95 per diluted share to $1.90 to $2.05 per diluted share. The guidance change primarily reflects favorable regional hydro conditions and lower costs for purchased power.

First Quarter 2011 Earnings Call and Web cast — May 5, 2011

PGE will host a conference call with financial analysts and investors on Thursday, May 5, 2011, at 11 a.m. EDT. The conference call will be web cast live on the PGE website at www.PortlandGeneral.com. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 2 p.m. EDT on Thursday, May 5, 2011 through Thursday, May 12, 2011.

Jim Piro, President and CEO; Maria Pope, Senior Vice President, Finance, CFO, and Treasurer; and Bill Valach, Director, Investor Relations, will participate in the call. Management will respond to questions following formal comments.

The attached condensed consolidated statements of income, condensed consolidated balance sheets, and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, as well as the supplemental operating statistics, are an integral part of this earnings release.

About Portland General Electric Company

Portland General Electric Company is a vertically integrated electric utility that serves approximately 821,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the Portland/Salem metropolitan area of Oregon. The Company's headquarters are located at 121 SW Salmon Street, Portland, Oregon 97204. Visit PGE's website at www.PortlandGeneral.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this news release that relate to future plans, objectives, expectations, performance, events and the like may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding earnings guidance, statements regarding future load, hydro conditions, thermal plant operations, and operating and maintenance costs; statements concerning implementation of the Company's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), including requests for proposals issued pursuant to the IRP with respect to new energy resources; statements regarding the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceeding; as well as other statements containing words such as "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "promises," "expects," "should," "conditioned upon," and similar expressions. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the reductions in demand for electricity and the sale of excess energy during periods of low wholesale market prices; operational risks relating to the Company's generation facilities, including hydro conditions, wind conditions, disruption of fuel supply, and unscheduled plant outages, which may result in unanticipated operating, maintenance and repair costs, as well as replacement power costs; the costs of compliance with environmental laws and regulations, including those that govern emissions from thermal power plants; changes in weather, hydroelectric and energy market conditions, which could affect the availability and cost of purchased power and fuel; changes in capital market conditions, which could affect the availability and cost of capital and result in delay or cancellation of capital projects; unforeseen problems or delays in completing capital projects, resulting in the failure to complete such projects on schedule or within budget; the outcome of various legal and regulatory proceedings; and general economic and financial market conditions. As a result, actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof and such statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement. Prospective investors should also review the risks and uncertainties listed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company's reports on Forms 8-K and 10-Q filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the risks described therein from time to time.

POR-F

Source: Portland General Electric Company

Note: "Average" amounts represent the 15-year rolling averages provided by the National Weather Service (Portland Airport).

Portland General Electric Company
Media Contact:
Gail Baker, 503-464-8693
Director, Corporate Communications
or
Investor Contact:
Bill Valach, 503-464-7395
Director, Investor Relations

Source: Portland General Electric Company

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