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Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities | Risk Management Objectives (All Registrants) PPL has a risk management policy approved by the Board of Directors to manage market risk associated with commodities, interest rates on debt issuances and foreign exchange (including price, liquidity and volumetric risk) and credit risk (including non-performance risk and payment default risk). The Risk Management Committee, comprised of senior management and chaired by the Senior Director-Risk Management, oversees the risk management function. Key risk control activities designed to ensure compliance with the risk policy and detailed programs include, but are not limited to, credit review and approval, validation of transactions, verification of risk and transaction limits, value-at-risk analyses (VaR, a statistical model that attempts to estimate the value of potential loss over a given holding period under normal market conditions at a given confidence level) and the coordination and reporting of the Enterprise Risk Management program. Market Risk Market risk includes the potential loss that may be incurred as a result of price changes associated with a particular financial or commodity instrument as well as market liquidity and volumetric risks. Forward contracts, futures contracts, options, swaps and structured transactions are utilized as part of risk management strategies to minimize unanticipated fluctuations in earnings caused by changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Many of these contracts meet the definition of a derivative. All derivatives are recognized on the Balance Sheets at their fair value, unless NPNS is elected. The following summarizes the market risks that affect PPL and its subsidiaries. Interest Rate Risk
• | PPL and its subsidiaries are exposed to interest rate risk associated with forecasted fixed-rate and existing floating-rate debt issuances. PPL and WPD hold over-the-counter cross currency swaps to limit exposure to market fluctuations on interest and principal payments from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. PPL, LKE and LG&E utilize over-the-counter interest rate swaps to limit exposure to market fluctuations on floating-rate debt. PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU utilize forward starting interest rate swaps to hedge changes in benchmark interest rates, when appropriate, in connection with future debt issuances.
• | PPL and its subsidiaries are exposed to interest rate risk associated with debt securities and derivatives held by defined benefit plans. This risk is significantly mitigated to the extent that the plans are sponsored at, or sponsored on behalf of, the regulated domestic utilities and for certain plans at WPD due to the recovery methods in place.
Foreign Currency Risk (PPL)
• | PPL is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk primarily associated with its investments in and earnings of U.K. affiliates.
(All Registrants) Commodity Price Risk PPL is exposed to commodity price risk through its domestic subsidiaries as described below.
• | PPL Electric is required to purchase electricity to fulfill its obligation as a PLR. Potential commodity price risk is insignificant and mitigated through its PUC-approved cost recovery mechanism and full-requirement supply agreements to serve its PLR customers which transfer the risk to energy suppliers.
• | LG&E's and KU's rates include certain mechanisms for fuel, fuel-related expenses and energy purchases. In addition, LG&E's rates include a mechanism for natural gas supply expenses. These mechanisms generally provide for timely recovery of market price fluctuations associated with these expenses.
Volumetric Risk PPL is exposed to volumetric risk through its subsidiaries as described below.
• | WPD is exposed to volumetric risk which is significantly mitigated as a result of the method of regulation in the U.K. Under the RIIO-ED1 price control regulations, recovery of such exposure occurs on a two year lag. See Note 1 for additional information on revenue recognition under RIIO-ED1.
• | PPL Electric, LG&E and KU are exposed to volumetric risk on retail sales, mainly due to weather and other economic conditions for which there is limited mitigation between rate cases.
Equity Securities Price Risk
• | PPL and its subsidiaries are exposed to equity securities price risk associated with the fair value of the defined benefit plans' assets. This risk is significantly mitigated at the regulated domestic utilities and for certain plans at WPD due to the recovery methods in place.
• | PPL is exposed to equity securities price risk from future stock sales and/or purchases.
Credit Risk Credit risk is the potential loss that may be incurred due to a counterparty's non-performance. PPL is exposed to credit risk from "in-the-money" interest rate and foreign currency derivatives with financial institutions, as well as additional credit risk through certain of its subsidiaries, as discussed below. In the event a supplier of PPL Electric, LG&E or KU defaults on its obligation, those Registrants would be required to seek replacement power or replacement fuel in the market. In general, subject to regulatory review or other processes, appropriate incremental costs incurred by these entities would be recoverable from customers through applicable rate mechanisms, thereby mitigating the financial risk for these entities. PPL and its subsidiaries have credit policies in place to manage credit risk, including the use of an established credit approval process, daily monitoring of counterparty positions and the use of master netting agreements or provisions. These agreements generally include credit mitigation provisions, such as margin, prepayment or collateral requirements. PPL and its subsidiaries may request additional credit assurance, in certain circumstances, in the event that the counterparties' credit ratings fall below investment grade, their tangible net worth falls below specified percentages or their exposures exceed an established credit limit. Master Netting Arrangements (PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU) Net derivative positions on the balance sheets are not offset against the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) under master netting arrangements. PPL had a $40 million and $20 million obligation to return cash collateral under master netting arrangements at December 31, 2018 and 2017. PPL had no obligation to post cash collateral under master netting arrangements at December 31, 2018 and 2017. LKE, LG&E and KU had no obligation to return cash collateral under master netting arrangements at December 31, 2018 and 2017. LKE, LG&E and KU had no cash collateral posted under master netting arrangements at December 31, 2018 and 2017. See "Offsetting Derivative Instruments" below for a summary of derivative positions presented in the balance sheets where a right of setoff exists under these arrangements. Interest Rate Risk (All Registrants) PPL and its subsidiaries issue debt to finance their operations, which exposes them to interest rate risk. A variety of financial derivative instruments are utilized to adjust the mix of fixed and floating interest rates in their debt portfolios, adjust the duration of the debt portfolios and lock in benchmark interest rates in anticipation of future financing, when appropriate. Risk limits under PPL's risk management program are designed to balance risk exposure to volatility in interest expense and changes in the fair value of the debt portfolio due to changes in benchmark interest rates. In addition, the interest rate risk of certain subsidiaries is potentially mitigated as a result of the existing regulatory framework or the timing of rate cases. Cash Flow Hedges (PPL) Interest rate risks include exposure to adverse interest rate movements for outstanding variable rate debt and for future anticipated financings. Financial interest rate swap contracts that qualify as cash flow hedges may be entered into to hedge floating interest rate risk associated with both existing and anticipated debt issuances. PPL had no such contracts at December 31, 2018. For 2018 and 2017, PPL had no hedge ineffectiveness associated with interest rate derivatives. For 2016, hedge ineffectiveness associated with interest rate derivatives was insignificant. At December 31, 2018, PPL held an aggregate notional value in cross-currency interest rate swap contracts of $702 million that range in maturity from 2021 through 2028 to hedge the interest payments and principal of WPD's U.S. dollar-denominated senior notes. For 2018, 2017 and 2016, PPL had no hedge ineffectiveness associated with cross-currency interest rate swap derivatives. Cash flow hedges are discontinued if it is no longer probable that the original forecasted transaction will occur by the end of the originally specified time period and any amounts previously recorded in AOCI are reclassified into earnings once it is determined that the hedged transaction is not probable of occurring. For 2018 and 2016, PPL had no cash flow hedges reclassified into earnings associated with discontinued cash flow hedges and had an insignificant amount of cash flow hedges reclassified into earnings associated with discontinued cash flow hedges in 2017. At December 31, 2018, the amount of accumulated net unrecognized after-tax gains (losses) on qualifying derivatives expected to be reclassified into earnings during the next 12 months is insignificant. Amounts are reclassified as the hedged interest expense is recorded. Economic Activity (PPL, LKE and LG&E) LG&E enters into interest rate swap contracts that economically hedge interest payments on variable rate debt. Because realized gains and losses from the swaps, including terminated swap contracts, are recoverable through regulated rates, any subsequent changes in fair value of these derivatives are included in regulatory assets or liabilities until they are realized as interest expense. Realized gains and losses are recognized in "Interest Expense" on the Statements of Income at the time the underlying hedged interest expense is recorded. In December 2016, a swap with a notional amount of $32 million was terminated. A cash settlement of $9 million was paid on the terminated swap. The settlement is included in noncurrent regulatory assets on the Balance Sheet and in "Cash Flows from Operating Activities" on the Statement of Cash Flows. At December 31, 2018, LG&E held contracts with a notional amount of $147 million that range in maturity through 2033. Foreign Currency Risk (PPL) PPL is exposed to foreign currency risk, primarily through investments in and earnings of U.K. affiliates. PPL has adopted a foreign currency risk management program designed to hedge certain foreign currency exposures, including firm commitments, recognized assets or liabilities, anticipated transactions and net investments. In addition, PPL enters into financial instruments to protect against foreign currency translation risk of expected GBP earnings. Net Investment Hedges PPL enters into foreign currency contracts on behalf of a subsidiary to protect the value of a portion of its net investment in WPD. There were no contracts outstanding at December 31, 2018. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, PPL had $31 million and $22 million of accumulated net investment hedge after tax gains (losses) that were included in the foreign currency translation adjustment component of AOCI. Economic Activity PPL enters into foreign currency contracts on behalf of a subsidiary to economically hedge GBP-denominated anticipated earnings. At December 31, 2018, the total exposure hedged by PPL was approximately £1.5 billion (approximately $2.2 billion based on contracted rates). These contracts had termination dates ranging from January 2019 through October 2020. In the third quarter of 2016, PPL settled foreign currency hedges related to 2017 and 2018 anticipated earnings, resulting in receipt of $310 million of cash and entered into new hedges at current market rates. The notional amount of the settled hedges was approximately £1.3 billion (approximately $2.0 billion based on contracted rates) with termination dates from January 2017 through November 2018. The settlement did not have a significant impact on net income as the hedge values were previously marked to fair value and recognized in "Other Income (Expense) - net" on the Statement of Income. Accounting and Reporting (All Registrants) All derivative instruments are recorded at fair value on the Balance Sheet as an asset or liability unless NPNS is elected. NPNS contracts for PPL and PPL Electric include certain full-requirement purchase contracts and other physical purchase contracts. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated as NPNS are recognized in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met and designated as such, except for the changes in fair values of LG&E's interest rate swaps that are recognized as regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities. See Note 7 for amounts recorded in regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities at December 31, 2018 and 2017. See Note 1 for additional information on accounting policies related to derivative instruments. (PPL) The following table presents the fair value and location of derivative instruments recorded on the Balance Sheets.
| December 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017
| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments |  | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |  | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments |  | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
| Assets |  | Liabilities |  | Assets |  | Liabilities |  | Assets |  | Liabilities |  | Assets |  | Liabilities
Current: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Price Risk Management |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets/Liabilities (a): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps (b) | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 4 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 4 |
Cross-currency swaps (b) | 6 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Foreign currency contracts | — |  |  | — |  |  | 103 |  |  | 2 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 45 |  |  | 67 |
Total current | 6 |  |  | — |  |  | 103 |  |  | 6 |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | 45 |  |  | 71 |
Noncurrent: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Price Risk Management |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets/Liabilities (a): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps (b) | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 16 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 22 |
Cross-currency swaps (b) | 129 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 97 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Foreign currency contracts | — |  |  | — |  |  | 99 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 118 |  |  | 81 |
Total noncurrent | 129 |  |  | — |  |  | 99 |  |  | 16 |  |  | 97 |  |  | — |  |  | 118 |  |  | 103 |
Total derivatives | $ | 135 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 202 |  |  | $ | 22 |  |  | $ | 101 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 163 |  |  | $ | 174 |
(a) | Current portion is included in "Price risk management assets" and "Other current liabilities" and noncurrent portion is included in "Price risk management assets" and "Other deferred credits and noncurrent liabilities" on the Balance Sheets.
(b) | Excludes accrued interest, if applicable.
The following tables present the pre-tax effect of derivative instruments recognized in income, OCI or regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities.
Derivative Relationships |  | Derivative Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI (Effective Portion) |  | Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative |  | Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) |  | Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
2018 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash Flow Hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps |  | $ | 4 |  |  | Interest Expense |  | $ | (8 | ) |  | $ | — |
Cross-currency swaps |  | 41 |  |  | Other Income (Expense) - net |  | 42 |  |  | — |
|  |  |  | Interest Expense |  | 1 |  |  | — |
Total |  | $ | 45 |  |  |  |  | $ | 35 |  |  | $ | — |
Net Investment Hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency contracts |  | $ | 11 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2017 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash Flow Hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps |  | $ | — |  |  | Interest Expense |  | $ | (9 | ) |  | $ | — |
Cross-currency swaps |  | (98 | ) |  | Other Income (Expense) - net |  | (82 | ) |  | — |
Total |  | $ | (98 | ) |  |  |  | $ | (91 | ) |  | $ | — |
Net Investment Hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency contracts |  | $ | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash Flow Hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps |  | $ | (21 | ) |  | Interest Expense |  | $ | (7 | ) |  | $ | — |
Cross-currency swaps |  | 130 |  |  | Other Income (Expense) - net |  | 116 |  |  | — |
|  |  |  | Interest Expense |  | 3 |  |  | — |
Total |  | $ | 109 |  |  |  |  | $ | 112 |  |  | $ | — |
Net Investment Hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency contracts |  | $ | 2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments |  | Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative |  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2016
Foreign currency contracts |  | Other Income (Expense) - net |  | $ | 150 |  |  | $ | (261 | ) |  | $ | 384 |
Interest rate swaps |  | Interest Expense |  | (5 | ) |  | (6 | ) |  | (7 | )
|  | Total |  | $ | 145 |  |  | $ | (267 | ) |  | $ | 377 |
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments |  | Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized as Regulatory Liabilities/Assets |  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2016
Interest rate swaps |  | Regulatory assets - noncurrent |  | $ | 6 |  |  | $ | 5 |  |  | $ | 7 |
(LKE and LG&E) The following table presents the fair value and the location on the Balance Sheets of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments.
|  | December 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017
|  | Assets |  | Liabilities |  | Assets |  | Liabilities
Current: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Price Risk Management |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets/Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 4 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 4 |
Total current |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | 4 |
Noncurrent: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Price Risk Management |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets/Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps |  | — |  |  | 16 |  |  | — |  |  | 22 |
Total noncurrent |  | — |  |  | 16 |  |  | — |  |  | 22 |
Total derivatives |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 20 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 26 |
The following tables present the pre-tax effect of derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges that are recognized in income or regulatory assets.
Derivative Instruments |  | Location of Gain (Loss) |  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2016
Interest rate swaps |  | Interest Expense |  | $ | (5 | ) |  | $ | (6 | ) |  | $ | (7 | )
Derivative Instruments |  | Location of Gain (Loss) |  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2016
Interest rate swaps |  | Regulatory assets - noncurrent |  | $ | 6 |  |  | $ | 5 |  |  | $ | 7 |
(PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU) Offsetting Derivative Instruments PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU or certain of their subsidiaries have master netting arrangements in place and also enter into agreements pursuant to which they purchase or sell certain energy and other products. Under the agreements, upon termination of the agreement as a result of a default or other termination event, the non-defaulting party typically would have a right to set off amounts owed under the agreement against any other obligations arising between the two parties (whether under the agreement or not), whether matured or contingent and irrespective of the currency, place of payment or place of booking of the obligation. PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU have elected not to offset derivative assets and liabilities and not to offset net derivative positions against the right to reclaim cash collateral pledged (an asset) or the obligation to return cash collateral received (a liability) under derivatives agreements. The table below summarizes the derivative positions presented in the balance sheets where a right of setoff exists under these arrangements and related cash collateral received or pledged.
|  | Assets |  | Liabilities
|  |  |  | Eligible for Offset |  |  |  |  |  | Eligible for Offset |  |
|  | Gross |  | Derivative Instruments |  | Cash Collateral Received |  | Net |  | Gross |  | Derivative Instruments |  | Cash Collateral Pledged |  | Net
December 31, 2018 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Treasury Derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
PPL |  | $ | 337 |  |  | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | 40 |  |  | $ | 295 |  |  | $ | 22 |  |  | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 20 |
LKE |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 20 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 20 |
LG&E |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 20 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 20 |
December 31, 2017 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Treasury Derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
PPL |  | $ | 264 |  |  | $ | 107 |  |  | $ | 20 |  |  | $ | 137 |  |  | $ | 174 |  |  | $ | 107 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 67 |
LKE |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 26 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 26 |
LG&E |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 26 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 26 |
Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features Certain derivative contracts contain credit risk-related contingent features, which when in a net liability position, would permit the counterparties to require the transfer of additional collateral upon a decrease in the credit ratings of PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU or certain of their subsidiaries. Most of these features would require the transfer of additional collateral or permit the counterparty to terminate the contract if the applicable credit rating were to fall below investment grade. Some of these features also would allow the counterparty to require additional collateral upon each downgrade in credit rating at levels that remain above investment grade. In either case, if the applicable credit rating were to fall below investment grade, and assuming no assignment to an investment grade affiliate were allowed, most of these credit contingent features require either immediate payment of the net liability as a termination payment or immediate and ongoing full collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions. Additionally, certain derivative contracts contain credit risk-related contingent features that require adequate assurance of performance be provided if the other party has reasonable concerns regarding the performance of PPL's, LKE's, LG&E's and KU's obligations under the contracts. A counterparty demanding adequate assurance could require a transfer of additional collateral or other security, including letters of credit, cash and guarantees from a creditworthy entity. This would typically involve negotiations among the parties. However, amounts disclosed below represent assumed immediate payment or immediate and ongoing full collateralization for derivative instruments in net liability positions with "adequate assurance" features. (PPL, LKE and LG&E) At December 31, 2018, derivative contracts in a net liability position that contain credit risk-related contingent features, collateral posted on those positions and the related effect of a decrease in credit ratings below investment grade are summarized as follows:
|  | PPL |  | LKE |  | LG&E
Aggregate fair value of derivative instruments in a net liability position with credit risk-related contingent features |  | $ | 6 |  |  | $ | 6 |  |  | $ | 6 |
Aggregate fair value of collateral posted on these derivative instruments |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Aggregate fair value of additional collateral requirements in the event of a credit downgrade below investment grade (a) |  | 6 |  |  | 6 |  |  | 6 |
(a) | Includes the effect of net receivables and payables already recorded on the Balance Sheet.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for derivative instruments and hedging activities including, but not limited to, risk management strategies, non-hedging derivative instruments, assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2229140 + Details
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