State of the Utility 2025: PenLight’s Commitment to Power, Progress, and People
As Peninsula Light Company celebrates 100 years of service, its 2025 State of the Utility report highlights a member-owned utility that continues to deliver reliable, sustainable, and affordable service across Gig Harbor, the Key Peninsula, and surrounding areas.
“At PenLight, we measure success not just by megawatts delivered, but by the trust and satisfaction of our members,” said CEO Jafar Taghavi. “We’re proud to report strong performance across all areas—electric, water, and community engagement.”
PenLight’s electric system supports approximately 35,000 electric meters across a service area of 112 square miles. This includes 8 substations, 33 circuits, and more than 1,000 circuit miles. The utility invests about $12 million annually in system upgrades, ensuring reliability for members now and into the future.
Its water division manages over 3,300 connections, spanning 64 owned and 51 managed water systems—underscoring PenLight’s growing role in regional infrastructure beyond electricity.
PenLight continues to provide nearly 100% carbon-free electricity. Its power supply, through a full requirements contract with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), includes:
- 78% hydropower
- 11% nuclear (Columbia Generating Station)
- 11% unspecified market purchases
“Our fuel mix reflects both our commitment to clean energy and the legacy of responsible sourcing from the Pacific Northwest,” Taghavi explained.
PenLight’s reliability performance continues to improve, even as it grows. From vegetation management to equipment upgrades, data shows fewer and shorter outages for members each year. Key outage causes include:
- Pre-arranged maintenance (31%)
- Vegetation (24%)
- Cable faults and equipment failures (19%)
- Wildlife, non-utility, and customer-caused issues (the remainder)
Member Satisfaction is among the best in the nation. PenLight consistently receives top ratings from its members, scoring 9 or above since 2019. In 2023:
- 82% of members rated their satisfaction as 9 or 10 out of 10
- The mean score was 9.25, well above national co-op norms
“Our members are our mission,” said Taghavi. “Their feedback guides everything we do—from operations to outreach.”
Washington State mandates cost-effective energy efficiency, and PenLight continues to exceed expectations. Its conservation efforts from 2022–2023 alone achieved over 1.2 aMW (average megawatts) of savings, a notable accomplishment in energy planning.
Despite inflation and infrastructure demands, PenLight maintains some of the lowest utility rates in the region:
- $116.86/month for 1,000 kWh (well below regional peers like PSE and Seattle City Light)
- $42.49/month average water bill (based on 225 gallons/day)
“These competitive rates are made possible by strong financial management,” Taghavi said.
With $184 million in total assets, a low debt load, and an equity ratio of 82%, PenLight is financially sound. Key financial health indicators include:
- TIER: 9.88 (well above covenant of 1.75)
- MDSC: 4.28
- Cash availability: 4.2 months (exceeding the 3-month target)
PenLight also gives back, supporting local schools, parks, youth activities, food programs, and economic development initiatives.
To empower its members, PenLight offers:
- SmartHub for usage monitoring and billing
- ChooseEV electric vehicle planning tools
- Energy rebates for homes and businesses
- Award-winning monthly newsletters
- Social media updates for outage communication and education
A Century of Service—and the Future is Bright
Founded in 1925, PenLight has evolved from lanterns to LED, from a few miles of line to a sophisticated smart grid. As it steps into its second century, the mission remains unchanged, PenLight always has their members best interests at heart.
“We’re proud to be member-owned, community-driven, and future-focused,” Taghavi said. “Thank you for helping us illuminate the past and energize the future.”