Empowering our future through smart investments

We never stop working to better the communities that we serve. We’re preparing for the future with upgrades that make the energy you rely on every day even more safe and reliable, all while keeping rates 27% below the national average and growing economic development in the region. 

Here are just some of the ways our employees are working to give customers the best possible service they deserve: 

rendering of Mill Creek 5 generating unit

Investing in modern power generation to meet growing energy demand

See how we’re modernizing our power generation fleet with the construction of Mill Creek 5, a 640-megawatt natural gas combined cycle unit, set to begin powering our communities in 2027. Once operational, Mill Creek 5 will be the most advanced generating unit in our fleet, driving efficiency and reliability, while maintaining affordability. Mill Creek 5 is part of our larger investment plan that was approved by the Kentucky Public Service Commission in 2023, which also includes adding a significant amount of new solar, a 125-megawatt battery energy storage system and the largest number of energy efficiency programs in our company’s history.

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From severe storms to sunny skies: Building a resilient energy grid for every season

Think of your home’s electrical wiring like the veins and arteries of your house. Just as your body needs healthy circulation, your home needs a well-maintained electrical system to keep the freezer frosty, the electronics running and a comfortable temperature inside your home, no matter the weather outside. Just as you tend to your home’s maintenance, that same type of caretaking takes place on a massive scale every day for LG&E and KU’s energy system that connects and powers our communities.
 

It’s an enormous and complex network of modern generating stations (producing 24/7 energy using the right mix of reliable and affordable fuel sources), natural gas compressor stations, substations, power and gas lines, transformers and related equipment. And it’s this system that our employees are committed to investing in and maintaining to improve the quality of life for the communities in which we live and are proud to serve.

LG&E and KU perform regular, daily maintenance on these systems, preparing for the future by investing in the right mix of modern technologies like upgrading electric and gas lines and substations, keeping vegetation in check, hardening equipment to better withstand the worst of weather events, and installing smart and automated technologies to make the systems we all depend on more resilient and efficient. For instance, since 2017, our customers have collectively experienced 150,000 fewer power outages each year (that’s 27.7 million minutes saved) thanks to the automated restoration equipment we’ve installed across our energy grid. These investments help keep the lights on and the natural gas flowing and attract new businesses and industries to the Commonwealth, adding jobs and improving the quality of life for families like yours. So, the next time you charge your phone, stream a movie or turn the knob on the stovetop to prepare a meal, remember our team at LG&E and KU are working to keep the energy flowing safely and reliably – not only in every moment of every day, but also for the decades to come. Read more about our many investments below. 

looking up at transmission towers from the ground

Investing in our energy superhighways

Across our high voltage electric transmission system — which serves as the energy superhighway that transports electricity and ultimately delivers it into the distribution system that provides electric service to businesses, neighborhoods and homes — we’re performing numerous projects to enhance our system. This includes upgrading our transmission lines, replacing aging wooden poles with steel, and clearing trees and other vegetation around system equipment.

Investing in faster service restoration

Throughout our electric system as a whole, we’ve installed automated restoration equipment along power lines to restore service faster than ever before and have centralized our grid operations.

Coupled with our crews’ fieldwork, our investments mean greater efficiencies, more real-time data, improved reliability and a better experience for customers. Since 2017, our customers have collectively experienced 150,000 fewer power outages each year (that’s 27.7 million minutes saved) thanks to the automated restoration equipment we’ve installed across our energy grid. Check out this video for a look at we’re outsmarting power outages with modern technology.

Utility workers next to a large natural gas pipe

Investing in safe, reliable natural gas service

We use natural gas to heat our homes, produce hot water, cook our meals and dry our clothes. Natural gas is a reliable energy source that is environmentally friendly, low cost, and safe. LG&E’s natural gas system is made up of more than 4,800 miles of natural gas transmission and distribution lines; compressor stations that move the gas through the system to customers; and natural gas storage fields that enable us to purchase gas when costs are low, store it for later use, and pass the savings to customers.

Investing in economic development

Our energies go to powering businesses and empowering growth. With competitive electric rates, excellent reliability, a focus on the customers and a business-friendly climate, there’s no question that Kentucky is the THE place for business.

In LG&E and KU's service territories in 2023, there were:

  • 42 project announcements, representing 45% of statewide announcements
  • 2,288 jobs to be created
  • $1.3 billion in announced capital investment
  • 20 Opportunity Kentucky grants committed, totaling $1.7 million

LG&E and KU’s resources, experience and knowledge base are available to assist you each step of the way. 
 

Economic Development
aerial view rendering of battery facility
Showing the bridge downtown Louisville at night

Investing in recycling that delivers savings to customers

We’re on track this year to return to customers $10 million in savings from beneficially recycling the by-products left over from the power generation process. 

  •  As approved for many uses by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, our by-products are able to be safely recycled and beneficially used to make products like concrete, cement, fertilizer, porcelain tile, wallboard and roofing shingles. In fact, Louisville’s new Lincoln and Lewis and Clark bridges were constructed using cement with fly ash from LG&E’s Mill Creek power plant.
  • Since 2016, the recycling of our by-products has generated more than $15 million in savings for our customers. Despite the ongoing pandemic, this year we’re on track to beneficially use nearly 90% of our by-products and we expect to return $10 million to our customers.

Empowering sustainability in Kentucky

We’re integrating sustainability into every part of our operations and through customer partnerships.

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a high angle view of the solar share sections
Customer using a tablet to access their My Meter information

Investing in an advanced metering infrastructure

The Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project, which runs through 2025, includes the installation of a new two-way communication wireless network and upgrading most meters to advanced metering equipment throughout our service territories. After the upgrade, you have access to a customized online dashboard to help manage your energy use — all at no additional cost to you.

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