Therm Sales - Unitil’s total gas therm sales increased 8.8% and 12.0% in the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2025. In the second quarter of 2026, sales to Residential and C&I customers increased 9.6% and 8.7%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2025, reflecting customer growth and colder spring weather in 2026. In the first six months of 2026, sales to Residential and C&I customers increased 13.4% and 11.6%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2025, reflecting colder winter weather in 2026 and customer growth. Included in the total gas therm sales increases were 4.2 million therms and 14.8 million therms for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, respectively, related to Maine Natural. Based on weather data collected in the Company’s gas service areas, on average there were 2.3% higher effective degree days in the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. As of June 30, 2026, the number of gas customers increased by approximately 6,600 over the previous year. Included in this increase was 6,400 customers related to Maine Natural. Sales margins derived from decoupled unit sales (currently representing approximately 38% of total annual therm sales volume) are not sensitive to changes in gas therm sales, although those sales margins are sensitive to changes in the number of customers served.
The following table details total therm sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 by major customer class:
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Therm Sales (millions) |
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Three Months Ended June 30, |
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Six Months Ended June 30, |
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2026 |
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2025 |
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Change |
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% Change |
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2026 |
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2025 |
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Change |
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% Change |
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Residential |
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11.4 |
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10.4 |
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1.0 |
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9.6 |
% |
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43.9 |
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38.7 |
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5.2 |
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13.4 |
% |
Commercial / Industrial |
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48.9 |
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45.0 |
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3.9 |
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8.7 |
% |
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144.9 |
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129.8 |
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15.1 |
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11.6 |
% |
Total |
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60.3 |
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55.4 |
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4.9 |
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8.8 |
% |
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188.8 |
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168.5 |
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20.3 |
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12.0 |
% |
The Company transported 5.7 million therms and 68.6 million therms in the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, respectively, to two electric generation facilities in Maine. As these facilities were charged fixed fees and utilized third-party energy suppliers for natural gas, the therms were not included in the above table.
Operating Expenses
Cost of Electric Sales - Cost of Electric Sales includes the cost of electric supply and spending on energy efficiency programs. Cost of Electric Sales increased $4.9 million, or 19.4%, and $8.1 million, or 14.0%, in the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2025. The increase in the three-month period reflects higher wholesale electricity prices. The increase in the six-month period reflects higher wholesale electricity prices and energy efficiency spending, and an increase in the amount of electricity purchased by customers directly from third-party suppliers. Because the Company reconciles and recovers the approved Cost of Electric Sales in its rates at cost on a pass-through basis, changes in approved expenses do not affect earnings.
Cost of Gas Sales - Cost of Gas Sales includes the cost to supply the Company’s total gas requirements and spending on energy efficiency programs. Cost of Gas Sales increased $0.3 million, or 2.1%, and $29.9 million, or 55.3%, in the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2025. The increase in the three-month period reflects higher gas therm sales, including $1.5 million at Maine Natural, partially offset by lower wholesale gas commodity prices. The increase in the six-month period reflects higher wholesale gas commodity prices and higher gas therm sales, including $13.8 million at Maine Natural. Because the Company reconciles and recovers the approved Cost of Gas Sales in its rates at cost on a pass-through basis, changes in approved expenses do not affect earnings.
Operation and Maintenance (O&M) - O&M expense includes electric and gas utility operating costs, and the operating cost of the Company’s corporate and other business activities. O&M expenses increased $2.5 million, or 11.7%, and $3.3 million, or 7.5%, in the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2025. The increase in the three-month period reflects higher utility operating costs of $1.6 million, and higher labor and other costs of $1.4 million, partially offset by lower acquisition costs of $0.5 million. The increase in the six-month period reflects higher utility operating costs of $2.6 million, and higher labor and other costs of $1.5 million, partially offset by lower acquisition costs of $0.8 million. Included in O&M expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 were $1.4 million and $2.7 million, respectively, related to Maine Natural. Excluding O&M expenses for Maine Natural and transaction costs, O&M expenses for legacy operations would have increased by $1.6 million, or 7.5%, and $1.4 million, or 3.2%, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, respectively.
Depreciation and Amortization - Depreciation and Amortization expense increased $2.4 million, or 11.0%, and $4.0 million, or 9.2%, in the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2025. The increase in the three-month period reflects higher levels of utility plant in service, and higher amortization of recoverable storm costs and other deferred costs. The increase in the six-month period reflects higher levels of utility plant in service and higher amortization of recoverable storm costs, partially offset by lower amortization of other deferred costs. Included in Depreciation and Amortization for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 was $0.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively, related to Maine Natural.