Evergy, Inc.: Form 10-K for the period ended Dec 31, 2023

General

Evergy, Inc., Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. and Evergy Metro, Inc. are separate registrants filing this combined annual report on Form 10-K. The terms "Evergy," "Evergy Kansas Central," "Evergy Metro" and "Evergy Companies" are used throughout this report. "Evergy" refers to Evergy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. "Evergy Kansas Central" refers to Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. "Evergy Metro" refers to Evergy Metro, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. "Evergy Companies" refers to Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central, and Evergy Metro, collectively, which are individual registrants within the Evergy consolidated group.

Information in other Items of this report as to which reference is made in this Item 1 is hereby incorporated by reference in this Item 1. The use of terms such as "see" or "refer to" shall be deemed to incorporate into this Item 1 the information to which such reference is made.

EVERGY, INC.

Evergy is a public utility holding company incorporated in 2017 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Evergy operates primarily through the following wholly-owned direct subsidiaries listed below.

• Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. (Evergy Kansas Central) is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the state of Kansas. Evergy Kansas Central has one active wholly-owned subsidiary with significant operations, Evergy Kansas South, Inc. (Evergy Kansas South).
• Evergy Metro, Inc. (Evergy Metro) is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the states of Missouri and Kansas.
• Evergy Missouri West, Inc. (Evergy Missouri West) is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the state of Missouri.
• Evergy Transmission Company, LLC (Evergy Transmission Company) owns 13.5% of Transource Energy, LLC (Transource) with the remaining 86.5% owned by AEP Transmission Holding Company, LLC, a subsidiary of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP). Transource is focused on the development of competitive electric transmission projects. Evergy Transmission Company accounts for its investment in Transource under the equity method.

Evergy Kansas Central also owns a 50% interest in Prairie Wind Transmission, LLC (Prairie Wind), which is a joint venture between Evergy Kansas Central and subsidiaries of AEP and Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company. Prairie Wind owns a 108-mile, 345 kilovolt (kV) double-circuit transmission line that provides transmission service in the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP). Evergy Kansas Central accounts for its investment in Prairie Wind under the equity method.

Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Kansas South, Evergy Metro, and Evergy Missouri West conduct business in their respective service territories using the name Evergy. The Evergy Companies assess financial performance and allocate resources on a consolidated basis (i.e., operate in one segment). Evergy serves approximately 1.7 million customers located in Kansas and Missouri. Customers include approximately 1.5 million residences, 0.2 million commercial firms and 7,800 industrials, municipalities and other electric utilities. Evergy is significantly impacted by seasonality with approximately one-third of its retail revenues recorded in the third quarter.

Evergy expects to continue operating its integrated utilities within the currently existing regulatory frameworks and is focused on empowering a better future for its customers, communities, employees and shareholders. The core tenets of Evergy's strategy are as follows:

• Affordability – operating the business cost-effectively and investing in technology and infrastructure to keep rates affordable and improve regional rate competitiveness; mitigating fuel and purchased power volatility by investing in a diverse generation fleet;
• Reliability – targeting transmission and distribution infrastructure investment to support reliability, flexibility, public safety, and resiliency; deploying new technology to improve preventive maintenance and customer restoration times; and
• Sustainability – investing at sustainable capital expenditure levels to maintain reliability and customer affordability for the long-term and balancing clean energy investment to continue fuel diversification and enable a responsible generation portfolio transition.

See Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Operations (MD&A) – Executive Summary – Strategy, for additional information.

The table below summarizes the percentage of Evergy's revenues by customer class.

The table below summarizes the percentage of Evergy's retail electricity sales by customer class.

Regulation

Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's Kansas operations are regulated by the State Corporation Commission of the State of Kansas (KCC) and Evergy Metro's Missouri operations and Evergy Missouri West are regulated by the Public Service Commission of the State of Missouri (MPSC), in each case with respect to retail rates, certain accounting matters, standards of service and, in certain cases, the issuance of securities, certification of facilities and service territories. The Evergy Companies are also subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) with respect to transmission, wholesale sales and rates, the issuance of securities in certain cases and other matters. Evergy has an indirect 94% ownership interest in Wolf Creek Generating Station (Wolf Creek), which is subject to regulation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) with respect to licensing, operations and safety-related requirements.

The table below summarizes the rate orders in effect for Evergy Kansas Central's, Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's retail rate jurisdictions.

(a) The KCC establishes rates for Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Kansas South on a consolidated basis.

(b) Current KCC rate orders do not contain an explicit allowed return on equity. The return on equity presented in this table reflects the current order in Kansas which stated an allowed return on equity to be utilized for purposes of the transmission delivery charge (TDC).

(c) Current MPSC rate orders do not contain an explicit allowed return on equity.

Evergy expects its 2024 Kansas and Missouri jurisdictional retail revenues to be approximately 60% and 40%, respectively, based on historical averages of Evergy Kansas Central's, Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's total retail revenues.

See Item 7, MD&A, Critical Accounting Policies section, and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information concerning regulatory matters.

Competition

Missouri and Kansas continue to operate on the fully integrated and regulated retail utility model. As a result, the Evergy Companies do not compete with others to supply and deliver electricity in their franchised service territories in exchange for agreeing to have their terms of service regulated by state regulatory bodies. If Missouri or Kansas were to pass and implement legislation authorizing or mandating retail choice, Evergy may no longer be able to apply regulated utility accounting principles to deregulated portions of its operations, which may require a surcharge to recover certain costs from legacy customers or could lead to a write-off of certain regulatory assets and liabilities.

Evergy competes in the wholesale market to sell power in circumstances when the power it generates is not required for retail customers in its service territory. This competition primarily occurs within the SPP Integrated Marketplace, in which Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West are participants. This marketplace determines which generating units among market participants should run, within the operating constraints of a unit, at any given time for maximum regional cost-effectiveness.

The Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) Integrated Marketplace is similar to other regional transmission organization (RTO) or Independent System Operator (ISO) markets currently operating in other regions of the United States.

Power Supply

Evergy has approximately 15,600 megawatts (MWs) of owned generating capacity and renewable power purchase agreements. Evergy's owned generation and power purchases from others, as a percentage of total megawatt hours (MWhs) generated and purchased, was approximately 60% and 40%, respectively, over the last three years. About 60% of Evergy's purchased power was purchased under long-term renewable purchased power contracts over the last three years. Evergy purchases power to meet its customers' needs, to satisfy firm power commitments or to meet renewable energy standards. Management believes Evergy will be able to meet its future power purchase needs due to the coordination of planning and operations in the SPP region and existing power purchase agreements; however, price and availability of power purchases may be impacted during periods of high demand or reduced supply.

Evergy's total capacity by fuel type, including both owned generating capacity and power purchase agreements, is detailed in the table below.

(a) MWs are based on nameplate capacity of the wind facility. Includes owned generating capacity of 778 MWs and long-term power purchase agreements of approximately 3,747 MWs of wind generation that expire from 2028 through 2048. See Item 2, Properties, for additional information.

Evergy's projected peak summer demand for 2024 is approximately 10,400 MWs. Evergy expects to meet its projected capacity requirements for 2024 with its existing generation assets and power purchases. See "Transitioning Evergy's Generation Fleet" below for further information regarding Evergy's long-term strategy with regard to its generating assets and power purchases.

Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West are members of the SPP. The SPP is a FERC-approved RTO with the responsibility to ensure reliable power supply, adequate transmission infrastructure and competitive wholesale electricity prices in the region. As SPP members, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West are required to maintain a minimum reserve margin of 15%. This net positive supply of capacity is maintained through generation asset ownership, capacity agreements, power purchase agreements and peak demand reduction programs. The reserve margin is designed to support reliability of the region's electric supply.

Environmental Matters

The Evergy Companies are subject to extensive and evolving federal, state and local environmental laws, regulations and permit requirements relating to air and water quality, waste management and hazardous substance disposal, protected natural resources (such as wetlands, federally-listed species and other protected wildlife) and health and safety. For example, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West combust large amounts of fossil fuels in the production of electricity, which results in significant emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHG). Federal legislation regulates the emission of GHGs and numerous states and regions have adopted programs to stabilize or reduce GHG emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) regulate emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA), water under the Clean Water Act and waste management under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, among other laws and regulations. See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information. There have been, and management believes there will continue to be, policy, legal and regulatory efforts to influence climate change, such as efforts to reduce GHG emissions, impose a tax on those emissions and create incentives for low-carbon generation and energy efficiency. These efforts, and climate change itself, have the potential to adversely affect the Evergy Companies' operations, financial position and cash flows. See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, for additional information.

The Evergy Companies have taken, and will continue to take, proactive measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on its businesses. For example, the Evergy Companies regularly conduct preparedness exercises for a variety of disruptive events, including storms, which may become more frequent or intense due to climate change. In addition, the Evergy Companies have invested, and will continue to invest, in grid resiliency. Much of the Evergy Companies' infrastructure is old and outdated, and grid resiliency efforts include building additional transmission and distribution lines, replacing old and outdated infrastructure and proactively managing the vegetation that can damage systems during severe weather. The Evergy Companies also monitor water conditions at their generating facilities and focus on water conservation at these facilities to address resource depletion.

Transitioning Evergy's Generation Fleet

The Evergy Companies are committed to a long-term strategy to reduce CO2 emissions in a cost-effective and reliable manner. In 2023, Evergy achieved a reduction of CO2 emissions, from owned generation, by half from 2005 levels. Evergy has a goal to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions, for scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, by 2045 with an interim goal of a 70% reduction of owned generation CO2 emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 through the responsible transition of the Evergy Companies' generation fleet. The trajectory and timing of achieving these emissions reductions are expected to be dependent on many external factors, including enabling technology developments, the reliability of the power grid, availability of transmission capacity, supportive energy policies and regulations, and other factors. See "Cautionary Statements Regarding Certain Forward-Looking Information" and Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, for additional information.

Public attention is currently focused on transitioning to a low carbon future, including reducing GHG emissions and closing coal-fired generating units. Diversity of fuel supply has historically provided cost and reliability benefits. For example, because renewable generation can be intermittent, diversity of baseload generation fuel, including a mix of coal and natural gas, has helped to maintain a consistent availability of power. In addition, the Evergy Companies must prudently utilize the generation assets that regulators have allowed the Evergy Companies to include in rates. The Evergy Companies use a triennial integrated resource plan, a detailed analysis that estimates factors that influence the future supply and demand for electricity, to inform the manner in which they supply electricity. The integrated resource plan considers forecasts of future electricity demand, fuel prices, transmission improvements, new generating capacity, cost of environmental compliance, integration of renewables, energy storage, energy efficiency and demand response initiatives. Strategies that the Evergy Companies are pursuing to reduce emissions include:

• retiring fossil fuel generation;
• developing renewable energy facilities;
• grid investment and advancement;
• collaborating with regulators to offer customers the opportunity to procure electricity produced with renewable resources; and
• investing in customer energy efficiency programs.

Since 2005, the Evergy Companies have added over 4,600 MWs of renewable generation, while retiring more than 2,400 MWs of fossil generation. See Item 2, Properties, for additional information regarding the Evergy Companies' renewable generation resources. The Evergy Companies are also committed to transparency. On its website, http://investors.evergy.com, Evergy provides quantitative and qualitative data regarding various environmental, social and governance matters, including information related to emissions, waste and water. The contents of the website, including reports and documents contained therein, are not incorporated into this filing.

See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding environmental matters.

Fuel

The fuel sources for Evergy's owned generation and power purchase agreements are coal, wind and other renewable sources, uranium and natural gas and oil. The actual 2023 fuel mix and fuel cost in cents per net kilowatt hour (kWh) delivered are outlined in the following table.

(a) Fuel mix based on percent of net MWhs generated by owned resources and delivered under renewable power purchase agreements.

(b) Fuel cost in cents per net kWh delivered includes costs associated with renewable power purchase agreements.

Coal

During 2024, Evergy's generating units, including jointly-owned units, are projected to use approximately 13 million tons of coal. Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West have entered into coal-purchase contracts with various suppliers in Wyoming's Powder River Basin (PRB), the nation's principal supply region of low-sulfur coal, and with local suppliers. The coal to be provided under these contracts is expected to satisfy approximately 65%, 35% and 35% of the projected coal requirements for 2024, 2025 and 2026, respectively. The remainder of the coal requirements is expected to be fulfilled through entering into additional contracts or spot market purchases.

Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West have also entered into rail transportation contracts with various railroads to transport coal from the PRB and local suppliers to their generating units. The transportation services to be provided under these contracts are expected to satisfy almost all of the projected transportation requirements for 2024 and 2025 and 65% of the projected transportation requirements for 2026. The contract rates adjust for changes in railroad costs.

Nuclear Fuel

Evergy Kansas South and Evergy Metro each owns 47% of Wolf Creek, which is Evergy's only nuclear generating unit. Wolf Creek purchases uranium and has it processed for use as fuel in its reactor. This process involves conversion of uranium concentrates to uranium hexafluoride, enrichment of uranium hexafluoride and fabrication of nuclear fuel assemblies. The owners of Wolf Creek have on hand or under contract all the uranium, uranium enrichment and conversion services needed to operate Wolf Creek through the first quarter of 2030. The owners also have under contract all the uranium fabrication services required to operate Wolf Creek through 2045.

Natural Gas

Evergy purchases natural gas for use in its generating units primarily through spot market purchases. From time to time, Evergy also may enter into contracts, including the use of derivatives, in an effort to manage the cost of natural gas. For additional information about Evergy's exposure to commodity price risks, see Item 7A., Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West maintain natural gas transportation arrangements with Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. The Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. arrangement expires based on the generating unit being served with expiration dates from 2025 to 2030.

Customer Energy Efficiency Programs

The Evergy Companies have implemented, and continue to offer, energy efficiency programs to help customers with their energy efficiency needs and to help manage energy costs. Both Missouri and Kansas have passed legislation promoting the implementation of cost-effective demand-side management programs and allowing for the recovery of these program costs from customers, along with the potential to earn performance incentives based upon certain criteria.

In Missouri, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West currently offer a suite of energy efficiency programs for customers under the Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act (MEEIA). The current portfolio of programs was originally approved by the MPSC in 2019 for the years 2020 through 2022. In 2022 and 2023, the MPSC approved extensions of the programs for 2023 and 2024, respectively. The MEEIA programs provide for the recovery of program costs, throughput disincentive and the opportunity to earn a performance incentive based upon demand and energy savings achieved. The costs of the programs are recovered from customers through a rider mechanism.

In Kansas, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro requested KCC authorization in December 2021 for a suite of energy efficiency programs for customers under the Kansas Energy Efficiency Investment Act (KEEIA). The requested portfolio of programs would provide for the recovery of program costs, throughput disincentive and the opportunity to earn a performance incentive based upon demand and energy savings achieved. The costs of the program would be recovered from customers through a rider mechanism. Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro expect their KEEIA programs to begin in the first quarter 2024.

Human Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2023, the Evergy Companies had 4,658 employees, including 2,473 represented by five local unions of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and one local union of the United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA). The Evergy Companies currently have labor agreements with each of these unions that expire at varying times in 2024 through 2026. The Evergy Companies employ 1,650 generation employees, 1,447 transmission and distribution employees and 1,561 support employees that work primarily in the states of Kansas and Missouri.

Evergy's mission is to empower a better future and a key component of this mission is maintaining a culture that emphasizes safety, integrity, ownership and adaptability.

Safety is a crucial part of Evergy's values. The components of Evergy's safety program include a strong management commitment to a safety-conscious work environment, hazard recognition and control, worksite analysis, contractor safety management and training. Evergy also conducts regular safety audits and assessments.

Evergy is also working to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce through recruiting and hiring practices, performance management, training and data analysis and reporting initiatives. As of December 31, 2023, Evergy's workforce was 78% male and 22% female, and women represented 21% of Evergy's officer team. The ethnicity of Evergy's workforce was 85% White, 5% Black, 4% Hispanic and 6% other.

Evergy offers a competitive package of compensation and benefits to attract and retain talented employees, including market-competitive pay, healthcare and retirement benefits, paid time off, family leave and tuition reimbursement. Evergy also allows employees to participate in a comprehensive well-being program that includes health and wellness-related activities and incentives, business resource groups, gym membership reimbursement, paid volunteer hours, charitable donation match and free access to an employee assistance program.

Information About Evergy's Executive Officers

Set forth below is information relating to the executive officers of Evergy, Inc. Each executive officer holds the same position with each of Evergy Kansas Central, Inc., Evergy Metro, Inc., Evergy Kansas South, Inc. and Evergy Missouri West, Inc. as the executive officer holds with Evergy, Inc. Executive officers serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. There are no family relationships among any of the executive officers, nor any arrangements or understandings between any executive officer and other persons pursuant to which he or she was appointed as an executive officer.

(a) Mr. Campbell was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Evergy, Inc. in January 2021. Mr. Campbell previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Vistra Energy Corp. (2019-2020), as President and Chief Executive Officer of InfraREIT, Inc. and President of Hunt Utility Services (2014-2019) and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sharyland Utilities, LLC (2016-2019), and in various roles with TXU Corp. and its affiliated entities (2004-2013).

(b) Mr. Andrews was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Evergy, Inc. in February 2021. Mr. Andrews previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of NRG Energy, Inc. (2011-2021) and as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Clearway Energy, Inc. (2012-2016). Mr. Andrews also served as Managing Director and Co-Head Investment Banking, Power and Utilities - Americas at Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. (2009-2011), and in several capacities at Citigroup Global Markets Inc., including Managing Director, Group Head, North American Power (2007-2009) and Head of Power, Mergers and Acquisitions (2005-2007).

(c) Mr. Bryant was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Evergy, Inc. in June 2018. Mr. Bryant previously served as Senior Vice President - Finance and Strategy and Chief Financial Officer of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2015-2018). He previously served as Vice President - Strategic Planning of Great Plains Energy Incorporated (Great Plains Energy), Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2014). He served as Vice President - Investor Relations and Strategic Planning and Treasurer of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2013). He served as Vice President - Investor Relations and Treasurer of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2011-2013). He was Vice President - Strategy and Risk Management of Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2011) and Vice President - Energy Solutions of Evergy Metro (2006-2011) and Evergy Missouri West (2008-2011).

(d) Ms. Elwell was appointed Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Diversity Officer of Evergy, Inc. in January 2023. Ms. Elwell previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Evergy, Inc. (2021-2023). Ms. Elwell previously served as Chief People Officer at J.E. Dunn Construction Company (2017-2021), as Vice President People Strategy / HR Business Partner of Walmart Corporation (2016-2017), as Vice President HR Business Partner Operations at DIRECTV, Inc. (2012-2015), and in various roles of increasing responsibility, including as Vice President, with Sprint Corporation (1997-2012; 2015-2016).

(e) Mr. Caisley was appointed Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Chief Customer Officer of Evergy, Inc. in August 2021. He previously served as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs and Chief Customer Officer of Evergy, Inc. (2018-2021). Mr. Caisley served as Vice President - Marketing and Public Affairs of Great Plains Energy, Evergy

Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2011-2018). He was Senior Director of Public Affairs (2008-2011) and Director of Governmental Affairs of Evergy Metro (2007-2008).

(f) Ms. Humphrey was appointed Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Evergy, Inc. in June 2018. Ms. Humphrey previously served as Senior Vice President - Corporate Services and General Counsel of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2016-2018). She previously served as General Counsel (2010-2016) and Senior Vice President - Human Resources of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2012-2016). She served as Vice President - Human Resources of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2010-2012). She was Senior Director of Human Resources and Interim General Counsel of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2010) and Managing Attorney of Evergy Metro (2007-2010).

(g) Mr. King was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Evergy, Inc. in February 2020. He previously served as Senior Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer (2019) and Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer (2018-2019) of Evergy, Inc. Prior to that, he served as Vice President - Information Technology (2013-2018), as Senior Director of Information Technology Applications and Delivery (2013) and Director of Information Technology Applications (2011-2013) of Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West. Mr. King also served in various roles, including leadership roles, with Dish Network, CenturyLink, Sprint and Accenture.

(h) Mr. Busser was appointed Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Evergy, Inc. in February 2022. He previously served as Vice President - Risk Management and Controller of Evergy, Inc. (2018-2022). Mr. Busser was appointed Vice President - Risk Management and Controller of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West in 2016. He previously served as Vice President - Business Planning and Controller of Great Plains Energy, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West (2014-2016). He served as Vice President - Treasurer of El Paso Electric Company (2011-2014). Prior to that, he served as Vice President - Treasurer and Chief Risk Officer (2006-2011) and Vice President - Regulatory Affairs and Treasurer (2004-2006) of El Paso Electric Company.

Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.

Evergy Kansas Central, a Kansas corporation incorporated in 1924 and headquartered in Topeka, Kansas, is an integrated, regulated electric utility that engages in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity. Evergy Kansas Central serves approximately 742,200 customers located in central and eastern Kansas. Customers include approximately 642,600 residences, 94,200 commercial firms, and 5,400 industrials, municipalities and other electric utilities. Evergy Kansas Central's retail revenues averaged approximately 72% of its total operating revenues over the last three years. Wholesale firm power, bulk power sales, transmission and miscellaneous electric revenues accounted for the remainder of Evergy Kansas Central's revenues. Evergy Kansas Central is significantly impacted by seasonality with approximately one-third of its retail revenues recorded in the third quarter.

Evergy Metro, Inc.

Evergy Metro, a Missouri corporation incorporated in 1922 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is an integrated, regulated electric utility that engages in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity. Evergy Metro serves approximately 582,400 customers located in western Missouri and eastern Kansas. Customers include approximately 516,100 residences, 64,400 commercial firms, and 1,900 industrials, municipalities and other electric utilities. Evergy Metro's retail revenues averaged approximately 84% of its total operating revenues over the last three years. Wholesale firm power, bulk power sales and miscellaneous electric revenues accounted for the remainder of Evergy Metro's revenues. Evergy Metro is significantly impacted by seasonality with approximately one-third of its retail revenues recorded in the third quarter. Missouri and Kansas jurisdictional retail revenues for Evergy Metro averaged approximately 55% and 45%, respectively, of total retail revenues over the last three years.

Utility Regulatory Risks:

Prices are established by regulators and may not be sufficient to recover costs or provide for a return on investment.

The prices that the FERC, KCC and MPSC authorize the utility subsidiaries of Evergy to charge significantly influence the Evergy Companies' results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

In general, utilities are allowed to recover in customer rates costs that were prudently incurred to provide utility service, plus a reasonable return on invested capital. There can be no assurance, however, that regulators will determine costs to have been prudently incurred. Further, the amounts approved by the regulators may not be sufficient to allow for a recovery of costs or provide for an adequate return on and of capital investments. Also, amounts that were approved by regulators may be subject to existing limitations in regulatory or legislative frameworks or appealed, modified, limited or eliminated by subsequent regulatory or legislative actions. A failure to recover costs or earn a reasonable return on invested capital could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of Evergy and its utility subsidiaries.

The Evergy Companies are also exposed to cost-recovery shortfalls due to the inherent "regulatory lag" in the rate-setting process. Potential cost-recovery shortfalls occur because utility rates are generally based on historical information and, except for certain situations in which regulators allow for recovery of expenses through use of a formula that tracks costs, are not subject to adjustment between rate cases. These and other factors may result in under-recovery of costs or failure to earn the authorized return on investment, or both.

Furthermore, the United States' economy has experienced a substantial rise in the inflation rate over the past several years compared to recent historical inflation rates. While the inflation rate has subsided due, in part, to actions taken by the Federal Reserve Bank, there remains some uncertainty in the near-term outlook as to whether inflation will remain elevated or, alternatively, whether actions by the Federal Reserve Bank will result in a recession. Increases in inflation raise the Evergy Companies' costs for labor, materials and services, and a failure to recover these increased costs could result in under-recovery.

Failure to timely recover the full investment costs of capital projects, the impact of renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, other utility costs and expenses due to regulatory disallowances, regulatory lag or other factors could lead to lowered credit ratings, reduced access to capital markets, increased financing costs, lower flexibility due to constrained financial resources and increased collateral security requirements or reductions or delays in planned capital expenditures. In response to competitive, economic, political, legislative, public perception and regulatory pressures, Evergy's utility subsidiaries may be subject to rate moratoriums, rate refunds, limits on rate increases, lower allowed returns on investments or rate reductions, including phase-in plans designed to spread the impact of rate increases over an extended period for the benefit of customers. In addition, Transource, of which Evergy owns a 13.5% interest, is focused on the development of competitive electric transmission projects across the United States and faces similar risks with respect to projects located in regulatory jurisdictions outside of Kansas and Missouri. Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.

Legislative and regulatory requirements may increase costs and result in compliance penalties.

FERC, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and SPP have implemented and enforce an extensive set of transmission system reliability, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection standards that apply to public utilities. The MPSC and KCC have the authority to implement utility operational standards and requirements, such as vegetation management standards, facilities inspection requirements and quality of service standards. In addition, Evergy is also subject to health, safety and other requirements enacted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Labor and other federal and state agencies. As discussed more fully below, the Evergy Companies are also subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations, as well as laws and regulations related to nuclear power generation. The costs of complying with existing, new or modified regulations, standards and other requirements could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies. Furthermore, regulatory changes could result in operational changes that increase costs or adversely impact the Evergy Companies' prospects. In addition, failure to meet quality of service, reliability, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection, operational or other standards and requirements could expose the Evergy Companies to penalties, additional compliance costs or adverse rate consequences, any of which could have a material adverse impact on their results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Environmental Risks:

Costs to comply with environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to air and water quality, waste management and hazardous substance disposal, protected natural resources and health and safety, are significant and may adversely impact operations and financial results.

The Evergy Companies are subject to extensive and evolving federal, state and local environmental laws, regulations and permit requirements relating to air and water quality, waste management and hazardous substance disposal, protected natural resources (such as wetlands, federally-listed species and other protected wildlife) and health and safety. See Item 1. Business - Environmental Matters and Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information. In general, over time these laws and regulations have become and continue to become increasingly stringent and compliance with these laws and regulations require an increasing share of capital and operating resources, which may reduce the resources available for other business objectives, including capital investments.

Compliance with environmental laws, regulations and requirements requires significant capital and operating resources. Regulators may also disagree with the Evergy Companies' interpretation or application of environmental laws, regulations and requirements. The failure to comply with environmental laws, regulations and requirements could result in substantial fines, injunctive relief and other sanctions. For example, Evergy Kansas Central recently decommissioned the Tecumseh Energy Center and removed all coal combustion residuals (CCRs) from a surface impoundment in a manner it believed complied with federal law, but the EPA has reviewed and determined that Evergy Kansas Central should have taken additional or alternative actions, even though the facility is closed. As a result, Evergy Kansas Central has entered a consent order with the EPA and additional groundwater monitoring activities have been initiated at the site.

The EPA has begun issuing CCR Part A and Part B rule extension application determinations for companies that applied for approval to operate unlined or clay-lined impoundments beyond April 2021. The Evergy Companies did not apply for an extension, however, the EPA's proposed determinations on applications include extensive CCR rule interpretations and compliance expectations that may impact all owners of CCR units. The new interpretations could require modified compliance plans such as different methods of CCR unit closure. Additionally, more stringent remediation requirements for units that are in corrective action or forced to go into corrective action could result in substantial costs or operational impacts.

In January 2022, the EPA announced changes to address environmental justice issues in communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution. These changes will include additional unannounced inspections of suspected non-compliant facilities, deployment of new assets to monitor air pollution and a general increase in overall monitoring and oversight. The EPA's announcement focused on industries in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas but included similar agency-wide action in parallel. In September 2022, the EPA and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources conducted a CAA environmental justice inspection of the Evergy Companies' Hawthorn Generating Station. No CAA noncompliance issues were found. The Evergy Companies have multiple power plants located in communities that could be considered a higher priority by the EPA based on existing demographics, and these facilities may be subject to additional monitoring and unannounced inspections in the future.

Environmental permits are subject to periodic renewal, which may result in more stringent permit conditions and limits. New facilities, or modifications of existing facilities, may require new environmental permits or amendments to existing permits. Delays in the environmental permitting process, public opposition and challenges, denials of permit applications, limits or conditions imposed in permits and the associated uncertainty may materially adversely affect the cost and timing of projects, and thus may materially adversely affect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies. In addition, compliance with environmental laws, regulations and requirements could alter the way assets are managed, which in turn could result in retiring assets earlier than expected, recording asset retirement obligations (AROs) or having a regulator disallow recovery of costs that had been prudently incurred in connection with those assets. There is also a risk of lawsuits alleging violations of environmental laws, regulations or requirements, claiming creation of a public nuisance or other matters, and seeking injunctions or monetary damages or other relief.

Costs of compliance with environmental laws, regulations and requirements, or fines, penalties or negative lawsuit outcomes, if not recovered in rates from customers, could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.

Financial Risks:

Financial market volatility or declines in the Evergy Companies' credit ratings may increase financing costs and limit access to the credit markets, which may adversely affect liquidity and financial results.

The Evergy Companies rely on funds from operations and access to the capital and credit markets to fund capital expenditures and for working capital and liquidity. Volatility in capital or credit markets, increases in interest rates, deterioration in the financial condition of the financial institutions on which the Evergy Companies rely, credit rating downgrades, delays in regulatory approvals for certain financings, a decrease in the market price of Evergy's common stock or a lack of demand for securities issued by the Evergy Companies or subsidiaries could have material adverse effects on the Evergy Companies. These effects could include, among others: reduced access to capital and increased cost of borrowed funds and collateral requirements; dilution resulting from equity issuances at reduced prices; increased nuclear decommissioning trust and pension and other post-retirement benefit plan funding requirements; reduced ability to pay dividends; rate case disallowance of costs of capital; reductions in or delays of capital expenditures; delayed access to the capital markets at opportune times; and limitations in the ability of Evergy to provide credit support for its subsidiaries.

The Evergy Companies plan to continue to make significant capital investments in renewable generation and to enhance the customer experience, improve reliability and resiliency and improve efficiency, which are expected to be funded with cash flows from operations and debt. If cash flows from operations are lower than expected or the costs of these capital investments are higher than expected, additional debt will be required to fund the investments, which, in turn, may create pressure on the Evergy Companies' credit ratings or result in a ratings downgrade and increase their cost of capital. In 2023, a credit rating agency downgraded Evergy's, Evergy Kansas Central's, Evergy Metro's, Evergy Kansas South's and Evergy Missouri West's corporate credit ratings. Also, Evergy, Inc.’s and Evergy Metro's senior unsecured and Evergy Metro's senior secured debt ratings were downgraded and the Evergy Companies’ outlooks were moved from negative to stable. Further, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro have outstanding tax-exempt bonds that may be put back to the respective issuer at the option of the holders, which could adversely impact liquidity. Finally, market disruption and volatility could have an adverse impact on Evergy's lenders, suppliers and other counterparties or customers, causing them to fail to meet their obligations.

Evergy is a holding company and relies on the earnings of its subsidiaries to meet its financial obligations.

Evergy is a holding company with no significant operations of its own. The primary source of funds for Evergy's payment of dividends to its shareholders and its other financial obligations is dividends paid to it by its direct subsidiaries, particularly Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West. Evergy's subsidiaries are separate legal entities and have no obligation to provide Evergy with funds. The ability of Evergy's subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions, and accordingly, Evergy's ability to pay dividends on its common stock and meet its financial obligations, principally depends on the earnings and cash flows, capital requirements and general financial position of its subsidiaries, as well as regulatory factors, financial covenants, general business conditions and other matters.

In addition, the Evergy Companies are subject to certain corporate and regulatory restrictions and financial covenants that could affect their ability to pay dividends. Under the Federal Power Act, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West generally can pay dividends only out of retained earnings. Each of Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West has committed to Missouri regulators to not pay dividends to Evergy if its credit rating falls below BBB- for S&P Global Ratings or Baa3 for Moody's Investor Services. Each of Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro has committed to Kansas regulators to not pay dividends to Evergy if (i) the payment would result in an increase in the utility's debt level (excluding short-term debt and debt due within one year) above 60 percent of its total capitalization, absent approval from the KCC or (ii) if its credit rating falls below BBB- for S&P Global Ratings or Baa3 for Moody's Investor Services. Under various debt agreements, the Evergy Companies are also required to maintain a consolidated indebtedness to consolidated total capitalization ratio of not more than 0.65 to 1.00, which could restrict the amount of dividends the Evergy Companies are permitted to pay. Evergy cannot guarantee dividends will be paid in the future or that, if paid, dividends will satisfy announced targets or investor expectations or be paid with the same frequency as in the past.

In addition, from time to time Evergy has in the past and may in the future guarantee debt obligations of its subsidiaries. Under the financing agreements to which Evergy is a party, a guarantee of debt may be considered indebtedness for purposes of complying with financial covenants that dictate the extent to which Evergy can borrow money, and any guarantee payments could adversely affect Evergy's liquidity and ability to service its own debt obligations.

Supply chain disruptions and inflation could negatively impact the Evergy Companies' operations and corporate strategy.

The operations and business plans of the Evergy Companies depend on the global supply chain to procure the equipment, materials and other resources necessary to build and provide services in a safe and reliable manner. The delivery of components, materials, equipment and other resources that are critical to the Evergy Companies' business operations and corporate strategy has been restricted by domestic and global supply chain upheaval. This has resulted in the shortage of critical items. International tensions, including the ramifications of regional conflict, could further exacerbate the global supply chain upheaval. These disruptions and shortages could adversely impact business operations and corporate strategy. The constraints in the supply chain could restrict the availability and delay the construction, maintenance or repair of items that are needed to support normal operations or are required to execute on the Evergy Companies' corporate strategy for continued capital investment in utility equipment. These disruptions and constraints could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.

Supply chain disruptions have contributed to higher prices of components, materials, equipment and other needed commodities and these higher prices may continue in the future. Elevated inflation levels have contributed to increased uncertainty in the outlook of near term economic activity, including whether inflation will continue and at what rate. Increases in inflation raise costs for labor, materials and services. The Evergy Companies typically recover increases in costs from customers through rates. Failure to recover increased costs could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.

Public health crises, epidemics, or pandemics could adversely affect the Evergy Companies' business functions, financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.

Public health crises, epidemics, or pandemics and any related government responses may adversely impact the economy and financial markets and could have a variety of adverse impacts on the Evergy Companies, including a decrease in revenues, increased credit loss expense; increases in past due accounts receivable balances; and access to the capital markets at unreasonable terms or rates.

Public health crises, epidemics, or pandemics and any related government responses could also impair the Evergy Companies' ability to develop, construct, and operate facilities. Risks include extended disruptions to supply chains and inflation, resulting in increased costs for labor, materials, and services, which could adversely impact the Evergy Companies' ability to implement their corporate strategy. The Evergy Companies may also be adversely impacted by labor disruptions and productivity as a result of infections, employee attrition, and a reduced ability to replace departing employees as a result of employees who leave or forego employment to avoid any required precautionary measures.

Despite the Evergy Companies' efforts to manage the impacts of public health crises, epidemics, or pandemics that may occur in the future, the extent to which they may affect them depends on factors beyond their knowledge or control. As a result, the Evergy Companies are unable to determine the potential impact any such public health crises, epidemics, or pandemics may have on their business plans and operations, liquidity, financial position, and results of operations.

Increasing costs associated with defined benefit retirement and postretirement plans, health care plans and other employee benefits could adversely affect Evergy's financial position and liquidity.

Evergy maintains defined benefit retirement and other post-retirement employee benefit plans for certain current and former employees. The costs of these plans depend on a number of factors, including the rates of return on plan assets, the level and nature of the provided benefits, discount rates, the interest rates used to measure required minimum funding levels, changes in benefit design, changes in laws or regulations and the amount of any required or voluntary contributions to the plans. The Evergy Companies have substantial unfunded liabilities under these plans. Also, if the rate of retirements exceeds planned levels, these plans experience adverse market returns on investments or interest rates fall, required or voluntary contributions to the plans could be material. In addition, changes in accounting rules and assumptions related to future costs, returns on investments, interest rates and other actuarial assumptions, including projected retirements, could have a significant adverse impact on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.

The costs of providing health care benefits to employees and retirees have increased in recent years and may continue to rise in the future. Future legislative changes related to health care could also cause significant changes to benefit programs and costs. The increasing costs associated with health care plans could have a significant adverse impact on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.

The Evergy Companies are subject to commodity and other risks associated with energy markets.

The Evergy Companies are required to maintain generation capacity that satisfies regulatory mandates and are obligated to provide power when required by the SPP or pursuant to contractual obligations. Although the Evergy Companies generally have regulatory mechanisms that allow them to recover the cost of fuel and purchased power necessary to satisfy these requirements, regulatory or legislative actions could limit, eliminate or delay recovery of these expenses after the expenses have been incurred.

The Evergy Companies engage in the wholesale and retail sale of electricity and the wholesale purchase of electricity as part of their regulated electric operations in addition to energy marketing activities and the management of third-party generation facilities. These activities expose the Evergy Companies to risks associated with the price of electricity and other energy-related products, as well as credit exposure to their counterparties. Exposure to these risks is affected by a number of factors, including the availability and cost of fuel and power that the Evergy Companies purchase on the wholesale markets to serve customer load or to satisfy their regulatory or contractual obligations, the ability or effectiveness of strategies utilized by the Evergy Companies to hedge these risks, the extent to which the Evergy Companies may be required to post collateral for the benefit of third parties and the risk that counterparties fail to fulfill their obligations to the Evergy Companies. Market volatility can increase or create unanticipated risks. Regional transmission organizations and independent system operators may also retroactively reprice transactions following execution.

Subject to certain regulatory constraints, the Evergy Companies use derivative instruments, such as transmission congestion rights (TCRs), swaps, options, futures and forwards, to manage commodity and financial risks. Losses could be recognized as a result of volatility in the market values of these contracts, if a counterparty fails to perform or if the underlying transactions, which the derivative instruments are intended to hedge, fail to materialize. The valuation of these financial instruments can involve management’s judgment or the use of estimates. As a result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these contracts. The Evergy Companies cannot assure that their risk management practices will be effective or will mitigate all risks.

The results of operations, financial position and liquidity of the Evergy Companies could be materially adversely affected if the Evergy Companies fail to recover, or experience a delay in the recovery of, fuel and purchased power expenses; if the Evergy Companies fail to adequately hedge or mitigate commodity or energy market risks; if the Evergy Companies are required to provide collateral in amounts greater than planned; if energy marketing transactions are retroactively repriced; or if counterparties fail to fulfill obligations to the Evergy Companies.

Tax legislation and an inability to utilize tax credits could adversely impact results of operations, financial position and liquidity.

Tax laws and regulations can adversely affect, among other things, financial results, liquidity, credit ratings and the valuation of assets, such as deferred income tax assets. The Evergy Companies regularly assess their ability to utilize tax benefits, including those in the form of net operating loss (NOL), tax credit and other tax carryforwards, that are recorded as deferred income tax assets on their balance sheets to determine whether a valuation allowance is necessary. A reduction in, or disallowance of, these tax benefits could have an adverse impact on the financial results and liquidity of the Evergy Companies.

Additionally, changes in corporate tax rates or policy changes, as well as any inability to generate enough taxable income in the future to utilize all tax benefits before they expire, could have an adverse impact on the results of operations, financial position and liquidity of the Evergy Companies. In addition, the Evergy Companies construct and operate renewable energy facilities that generate tax credits that reduce federal income tax obligations. The amount of tax credits is dependent on several factors, including the amount of electricity produced and the applicable tax credit rate. A variety of factors, including transmission constraints, the ability to timely complete construction of renewable energy facilities, adverse weather conditions and breakdown or failure of equipment, could significantly reduce these tax credits, which could have an adverse impact on the results of operations and financial position of the Evergy Companies.

The anticipated benefits of the Evergy Companies' strategy may not be realized.

The Evergy Companies' strategy includes maintaining and continuing reduced operating and maintenance expense levels and planned increases in capital investments. The Evergy Companies' strategy also includes a different mix of capital investments than has been pursued in the past, including significant capital investments in renewable generation. The Evergy Companies' strategy also includes the planned retirement of coal-fired generation resources. If regulators determine that the retirement of coal generation facilities was not prudent, they could prohibit the Evergy Companies from recovering, or earning a return on, the investments in those facilities that were prudent when the investments were originally made. This concept is known as a "stranded asset," and generation retirements outside of those contemplated in the integrated resource plan increase the risk that regulators will disallow the recovery of otherwise prudent investments. In addition, the Evergy Companies may in the future utilize legislative mechanisms known as securitization to facilitate the retirement of coal-fired generation, which will eliminate future returns on the investment that was originally made by the Evergy Companies in those coal-fired generating facilities and reduce the Evergy's Companies results of operations and financial position.

No assurance can be given that the Evergy Companies will be successful in implementing their strategy in a timely manner or at all, and a failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies and have an adverse impact on the price of Evergy’s common stock.

The price of Evergy common stock may experience volatility.

The price of Evergy common stock may be volatile. Some of the factors that could affect the price of Evergy common stock are Evergy's earnings; the ability of the Evergy Companies to implement their strategic plan; the ability of Evergy to deploy capital; actions by regulators; and statements in the press or investment community about the Evergy Companies' strategy, earnings per share or growth prospects, financial position or results of operations. Negative perceptions or publicity from increasing scrutiny of environmental, social and governance practices could also adversely impact Evergy's stock price. Also, individuals or entities, such as activist shareholders and special interest groups, may seek to influence the Evergy Companies' strategic plan or take other actions that could disrupt the Evergy Companies' business, financial results or operations and could adversely impact Evergy's stock price. In addition, the Evergy Companies operate almost exclusively in Kansas and Missouri and this concentration may increase exposure to risks arising from unique local or regional factors. Furthermore, domestic and international market conditions and economic factors and political events unrelated to the performance of Evergy (including geopolitical conflicts) may also affect Evergy's stock price. For these reasons, shareholders should not rely on historical trends in the price of Evergy common stock to predict the future price of Evergy's common stock.

Evergy has recorded goodwill that could become impaired and adversely affect financial results.

As required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Evergy recorded a significant amount of goodwill on its balance sheet in connection with completion of the merger that resulted in the formation of Evergy. Evergy assesses goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or circumstances occur that would indicate a potential for impairment. If goodwill is deemed to be impaired, Evergy may be required to incur non-cash charges that could materially adversely affect its results of operations.

Customer and Weather-Related Risks:

Changes in electricity consumption could have a material adverse effect on Evergy's results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Change in customer behaviors in response to energy efficiency programs, changing conditions and preferences or changes in the adoption of technologies could affect the consumption of energy by customers. Federal and state programs exist to influence the way customers use energy and regulators have mandates to promote energy efficiency. Conservation programs and customers' level of participation in the programs could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.

Technological advances, energy efficiency and other energy conservation measures have reduced and will continue to reduce customer electricity consumption. The Evergy Companies predominately generate electricity at central station power plants to achieve economies of scale and produce electricity at a competitive cost. Self-generation and distributed generation technologies, including microturbines, wind turbines, fuel cells and solar cells, as well as those related to the storage of energy produced by these systems, have become economically competitive with the manner and price at which the Evergy Companies sell electricity. There is also a perception that generating or storing electricity through these technologies is more environmentally friendly than generating electricity with fossil fuels. Increased adoption of these technologies could reduce electricity demand and the pool of customers from whom fixed costs are recovered, resulting in under recovery of the fixed costs of the Evergy Companies. Increased self-generation and the related use of net energy metering, which allows self-generating customers to receive bill credits for surplus power, could put upward price pressure on remaining customers. If the Evergy Companies are unable to adjust to reduced electricity demand and increased self-generation and net energy metering, their financial position and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Changes in customer electricity consumption due to sustained financial market disruptions, downturns or sluggishness in the economy or other factors may also adversely affect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.

Weather is a major driver of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies and the Evergy Companies are subject to risks associated with climate change.

Weather conditions directly influence the demand for and price of electricity. The Evergy Companies are significantly impacted by seasonality, and, due to energy demand created by air conditioning load, their highest revenues are typically recorded in the third quarter. Unusually mild winter or summer weather can adversely affect sales. In addition, severe weather and events, including tornados, snow, fire, rain, flooding, drought and ice storms, can be destructive and cause outages and property damage that can result in increased expenses, lower revenues and additional restoration costs. Storm reserves established by the Evergy Companies may be insufficient and rates may not be adjusted in a timely manner, or at all, to recover these costs. Additionally, because many of the Evergy Companies' generating stations utilize water for cooling, low water and flow levels can increase maintenance costs at these stations, result in limited power production and require modifications to plant operations. High water conditions can also impair planned deliveries of fuel to generating stations or otherwise adversely impact the ability of the Evergy Companies to operate these stations. Climate change may produce more frequent or severe weather events, such as storms, droughts or floods. These events could lead to unforeseen changes in water supply quality and create additional costs related to water treatment and complying with environmental discharge requirements. Climate change events could also impact the economic health of the Evergy Companies' service territories. An increase in the frequency or severity of extreme weather events or a deterioration in the economic health of the Evergy Companies' service territories could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.

In addition, policy, legal and regulatory efforts to influence climate change, such as efforts to reduce GHG emissions, impose a tax on emissions and create incentives for low-carbon generation and energy efficiency, could result in reduced sales and require significant costs to respond to such efforts. These efforts could also result in the early retirement of generation facilities, which could result in stranded costs if regulators disallow recovery of investments that were prudent when originally made and included in rates. Evergy has a goal to achieve net-zero CO2e emissions, for scope 1 and 2 emissions, by 2045 with an interim goal of a 70% reduction of owned generation CO2 emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 through the responsible transition of the Evergy Companies' generation fleet. The trajectory and timing of achieving these emissions reductions are expected to be dependent on many external factors, including enabling technology developments, the reliability of the power grid, availability of transmission capacity, supportive energy policies and regulations, and other factors. These external factors are outside of Evergy's control, and without these enabling factors, Evergy cannot be confident in achieving its interim goal or its net-zero carbon reduction goal. In addition, any of the foregoing could adversely affect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies and the market prices of Evergy's common stock.

New climate disclosure rules proposed by the SEC may increase the Evergy Companies' costs of compliance and adversely impact their business.

On March 21, 2022, the SEC proposed new rules relating to the disclosure of a range of climate-related risks. The Evergy Companies are currently assessing the proposed rule, but at this time they cannot predict the costs of implementation or any potential adverse impacts resulting from the rule. To the extent this rule is finalized as proposed, the Evergy Companies could incur increased costs relating to the assessment and disclosure of climate-related risks. The Evergy Companies may also face increased litigation risks related to disclosures made pursuant to the rule if finalized as proposed. In addition, enhanced climate disclosure requirements could accelerate the trend of certain stakeholders and lenders restricting or seeking more stringent conditions with respect to their investments in certain carbon-intensive sectors.

Operational Risks:

Operational risks may adversely affect the Evergy Companies.

The operation of electric generation, transmission, distribution and information systems involves many risks, including breakdown or failure of equipment; aging infrastructure; employee error or contractor or subcontractor failure; problems that delay or increase the cost of returning facilities to service after outages; limitations that may be imposed by equipment conditions or environmental, safety or other regulatory requirements; fuel supply or fuel transportation reductions or interruptions; labor disputes; difficulties with the implementation or operation of information systems; transmission scheduling constraints; and catastrophic events such as fires, floods, droughts, explosions, terrorism or acts of war, severe weather, pandemics or other similar occurrences. Many of the Evergy Companies' generation, transmission and distribution resources are aged, which increases the risk of unplanned outages, reduced generation output and higher maintenance expense. Any equipment or system outage or constraint can, among other things, reduce sales, increase costs and affect the ability to meet regulatory service metrics, customer expectations and regulatory reliability and security requirements.

The Evergy Companies have general liability and property insurance to cover a portion of their facilities, but such policies do not cover transmission or distribution systems, are subject to certain limits and deductibles and do not include business interruption coverage. Insurance coverage may not be available in the future at reasonable costs or on commercially reasonable terms, and the insurance proceeds received for any loss of, or any damage to, any facilities may not be sufficient to restore the loss or damage. Certain insurers are also choosing to limit their exposure to companies with coal-fired generation, which may result in increased premiums and reduced scope of coverage. These and other operating events may reduce revenues or increase costs, or both, and may materially affect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.

Physical and cybersecurity breaches, criminal activity, terrorist attacks, acts of war and other disruptions to facilities or information technology infrastructure could interfere with operations, expose the Evergy Companies or their customers or employees to a risk of loss, expose the Evergy Companies to legal or regulatory liability and cause reputational and other harm.

The Evergy Companies rely upon information technology networks and systems to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities, including the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, supply chain functions and the invoicing and collection of payments from customers. The Evergy Companies also use information technology networks and systems to record, process and summarize financial information and results of operations for internal reporting purposes and to comply with financial reporting, legal and tax requirements. These networks and systems are in some cases owned or managed by third-party service providers. In the ordinary course of business, the Evergy Companies collect, store and transmit sensitive data including operating information, proprietary business information and personal information belonging to customers and employees.

The Evergy Companies' information technology networks and infrastructure, as well as the networks and infrastructure belonging to third-party service providers, are vulnerable to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to attacks or breaches by hackers or other unauthorized third parties; error or malfeasance by employees, contractors or service providers; unintended consequences related to software or hardware upgrades, additions or replacements; malicious software code; vulnerabilities in third-party software code; telecommunication failures; the lack of availability of qualified employees and contractors; natural disasters or other catastrophic events; or criminal activity, terrorist attacks or acts of war. The Evergy Companies use technology to enable remote-working arrangements, which may increase or expose previously unknown vulnerabilities. Public reports have indicated an increase in cyberattacks in general due, in part, to the increase in the number of employees working remotely and the proliferation of the different ways in which people interact with their information technology infrastructure.

The occurrence of any of these events could, among other things, impact the reliability or safety of the Evergy Companies' generation, transmission and distribution systems and information systems; result in the erasure of data or render the Evergy Companies' equipment, or the equipment of third-party service providers, unusable; impact the Evergy Companies' ability to conduct business in the ordinary course; reduce sales; expose the Evergy Companies and their customers, employees and vendors to a risk of loss or misuse of information; result in legal claims or proceedings, liability or regulatory penalties; damage the Evergy Companies' reputation; or otherwise harm the Evergy Companies' results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The Evergy Companies can provide no assurance that they will be able to identify and remediate all security or system vulnerabilities or that unauthorized access or error will be identified and remediated.

The Evergy Companies are subject to laws and rules issued by multiple government agencies concerning cybersecurity and safeguarding their customer and business information. For example, NERC has issued comprehensive regulations and standards surrounding the security of the bulk power system, including both physical and cybersecurity, and continually evaluates the necessity for updates and new requirements with which the Evergy Companies must comply. The Evergy Companies are subject to recurring, independent, third-party audits with respect to adherence to these regulations and standards. The NRC also has issued regulations and standards related to the protection of critical digital assets at nuclear power plants. Compliance with NERC and NRC rules and standards, and rules and standards promulgated by other regulatory agencies from time to time or future legislation, will increase the Evergy Companies' compliance costs and their exposure to the potential risk of violations of these rules, standards or future legislation, which includes potential financial penalties. Furthermore, the non-compliance by other utilities subject to similar regulations or the occurrence of a serious security event at other utilities could result in increased regulation or oversight, both of which could increase the Evergy Companies' costs and adversely impact their financial results.

Additionally, the Evergy Companies cannot predict the impact that any future information technology or malicious attack may have on the energy industry in general. The electric utility industry, both within the United States and internationally, has experienced physical and cybersecurity attacks on energy infrastructure such as power plants, substations and related assets in the past, and there will likely be more attacks in the future. Geopolitical matters, including terrorist attacks and acts of war, may increase the likelihood of such attacks. The Evergy Companies have been subject to attempted cyber attacks from time to time, and will likely continue to be subject to such attempted attacks, but these prior attacks have not had a material impact on their operations. However, because technology is increasingly complex and cyber-attacks are increasingly sophisticated and more frequent, there can be no assurance that such incidents will not have a material adverse effect on the Evergy Companies in the future. The Evergy Companies' facilities and systems could be direct targets or indirect casualties of such attacks. The effects of such attacks could include disruption to the Evergy Companies' generation, transmission and distribution, and information systems or to the electrical grid in general, reduced sales and could increase the cost of insurance coverage. Furthermore, although the Evergy Companies maintain information security risk insurance coverage, such insurance may not be adequate to cover any associated losses. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse impact on the Evergy Companies' results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The cost and schedule of capital projects may materially change and expected performance may not be achieved.

The Evergy Companies' business is capital intensive and includes significant construction projects. The risks of any capital project include: actual costs may exceed estimated costs; regulators may disallow, limit or delay the recovery of all or part of the cost of, or a return on, a capital project; increased inflation may render previously estimated costs to be inaccurate; risks associated with the capital and credit markets to fund projects; delays in receiving, or failure to receive, necessary permits, approvals and other regulatory authorizations; unforeseen engineering problems or changes in project design or scope; the failure of suppliers and contractors to perform as required under their contracts; inadequate availability or increased cost of labor or materials, including commodities such as steel, copper and aluminum that may be subject to uncertain or increased tariffs; inclement weather; new or changed laws, regulations and requirements, including environmental and health and safety laws, regulations and requirements; and other events beyond the Evergy Companies' control may occur that may materially affect the schedule, cost and performance of these projects.

The Evergy Companies' strategy includes a significant amount of planned capital investments. The Evergy Companies' ability to implement these investments depend, in part, on the availability of adequate internal and external resources, such as employees and qualified contractors and the availability of materials.

These and other risks could cause the Evergy Companies to defer or limit capital expenditures, materially increase the costs of capital projects, delay the in-service dates of projects, adversely affect the performance of the projects and require the purchase of electricity on the wholesale market, at potentially more expensive prices, until the projects are completed. These risks may significantly affect the Evergy Companies' results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Failure to attract and retain an appropriately qualified workforce or to maintain satisfactory collective bargaining agreements could negatively impact the Evergy Companies' business and operations and adversely impact the Evergy Companies' results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The Evergy Companies' workforce includes professional, managerial and technical employees. Failure to attract and retain qualified talent, successfully transition retirements with adequate replacements, or source qualified contractors could impede the Evergy Companies' strategy and/or adversely impact the Evergy Companies' ability to execute on their strategy. For example, certain skills, such as those related to construction, maintenance and repair of transmission and distribution systems are in high demand and have a limited supply. Evergy competes for qualified employees with these skills on a national level.

A significant portion of the Evergy Companies' workforce is represented by five local unions of the IBEW and one local union of the UGSOA. The Evergy Companies currently have labor agreements with each of these unions that expire at varying times in 2024 through 2026. A failure to successfully negotiate these collective bargaining agreements could result in a labor disruption and have a significant adverse impact on the Evergy Companies' operations and results of operations.

The Evergy Companies' strategic plan includes enhanced technology and transmission and distribution investments and a reduction in reliance on coal-fired generation. The Evergy Companies will need to attract and retain personnel that are qualified to implement the Evergy Companies' strategy and may need to retrain or reskill certain employees to support the Evergy Companies' long-term objectives. A failure to attract and retain qualified employees, retrain or reskill existing employees and maintain satisfactory collective bargaining agreements could have a significant adverse impact on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies.

The Evergy Companies are exposed to risks associated with the ownership and operation of a nuclear generating unit, which could adversely impact the Evergy Companies' business and financial results.

Evergy indirectly owns 94% of Wolf Creek, with Evergy Kansas South and Evergy Metro each owning 47% of the nuclear plant. Such ownership exposes the Evergy Companies to various risks unique to the nuclear industry. Damages, decommissioning or other costs could exceed the Evergy Companies' ability to recover such costs through rates or other mechanisms such as decommissioning trust assets or through external insurance coverage, including statutorily required nuclear incident insurance. The NRC has broad authority under federal law to impose licensing and safety-related requirements for the operation of nuclear generation facilities, including Wolf Creek. In the event of non-compliance, the NRC has the authority to impose fines, shut down the facilities, or both, depending upon its assessment of the severity of the situation, until compliance is achieved. Additionally, the non-compliance of other nuclear facility operators with applicable regulations or the occurrence of a serious nuclear incident anywhere in the world could result in increased regulation of the nuclear industry. Such events could increase Wolf Creek's costs and impact the financial results of the Evergy Companies or result in a shutdown of Wolf Creek.

An extended outage of Wolf Creek, whether resulting from NRC action, an incident at the plant or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Evergy Companies in the event replacement power, damages, and other costs exceed or are not recovered through rates, insurance or decommissioning trust assets. If a long-term outage occurred, the state regulatory commissions could reduce rates by excluding the Wolf Creek investment from rate base. Wolf Creek commenced operations in 1985 and the age of Wolf Creek may increase the risk of unplanned outages and may result in higher maintenance costs.

On an annual basis, Evergy Kansas South and Evergy Metro are required to contribute money to tax-qualified trusts that were established to pay for decommissioning costs at the end of the unit's life. The amount of contributions varies depending on estimates of decommissioning expenses and projected return on trust assets. If the actual return on trust assets is below the projected level or actual decommissioning costs are higher than estimated, Evergy Kansas South and Evergy Metro could be responsible for the balance of funds required and may not be allowed to recover the balance through rates.

The Evergy Companies are also exposed to other risks associated with the ownership and operation of a nuclear generating unit, including, but not limited to, (i) potential liability associated with the potential harmful effects on the environment and human health resulting from the operation of a nuclear generating unit, (ii) the storage, handling, disposal and potential release (by accident, through third-party actions or otherwise) of radioactive materials and (iii) uncertainties with respect to contingencies and assessments if insurance coverage is inadequate. Under the structure for insurance among owners of nuclear generating units, Evergy Kansas South and Evergy Metro are also liable for potential retrospective premium assessments (subject to a cap) per incident at any commercial reactor in the country and losses in excess of insurance coverage.

In addition, Wolf Creek is reliant on a sole supplier for fuel and related services. The supplier has in the past been the subject of Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings, and an extended outage of Wolf Creek could occur if the supplier is not able to perform under its contracts with Wolf Creek. Switching to another supplier could take an extended amount of time and would require NRC approval. An extended outage at Wolf Creek could affect the amount of Wolf Creek investment included in customer rates and could have a material impact on the Evergy Companies' financial results.

The structure of the regional power market in which the Evergy Companies operate could have an adverse effect on their results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West are members of the SPP regional transmission organization, and each has transferred operational authority (but not ownership) of their transmission facilities to the SPP. The SPP's Integrated Marketplace determines which generating units among market participants should run, within the operating constraints of a unit, at any given time. The SPP's rules are primarily designed to provide for maximum cost-effectiveness, but in certain respects the rules also provide preferential treatment for certain resources based on public policy initiatives, such as increasing the deployment of renewable generation. If Evergy Kansas Central's, Evergy Metro's or Evergy Missouri West's generating resources are not dispatched, each could experience decreased levels of wholesale electricity sales.

The Evergy Companies' strategic plan includes adding a significant amount of renewable generation. Transmission constraints and delays in the transmission planning and construction processes could impair the ability of the Evergy Companies to sell and transmit electricity generated by these renewable generation facilities, which could have an adverse impact on the results of operations and financial position of the Evergy Companies.

In addition, the rules governing the various regional power markets, including the SPP, may change from time to time and such changes could impact the costs and revenues of the Evergy Companies.

Litigation Risks:

The outcome of legal proceedings cannot be predicted. An adverse finding could have a material adverse effect on the Evergy Companies' results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The Evergy Companies are parties to various lawsuits and regulatory proceedings in the ordinary course of their respective businesses. The outcome of these matters cannot be determined, nor, in many cases, can the liability that could potentially result from each case be reasonably estimated. The liability that the Evergy Companies may incur with respect to any of these cases may be in excess of amounts currently accrued and insured against with respect to such matters and could adversely impact the financial results for the Evergy Companies.

Environmental, Social and Governance Risks:

The Evergy Companies are subject to risks relating to environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters that could adversely affect their reputation, business, financial position and results of operations.

The Evergy Companies are subject to a variety of risks, including reputational risk, associated with ESG issues. The public holds diverse and often conflicting views on ESG topics. The Evergy Companies have multiple stakeholders, including their shareholders, customers, associates, federal and state regulatory authorities and the communities in which they operate, and these stakeholders will often have differing priorities and expectations regarding ESG issues. If the Evergy Companies take action in conflict with one or another of those stakeholders' expectations, they could experience an increase in customer complaints, a loss of business or reputational harm. The Evergy Companies could also face negative publicity or reputational harm based on the identity of those with whom they choose to do business. Any adverse publicity in connection with ESG issues could damage their reputation, ability to attract new customers and retain employees, compete effectively and grow their business.

In addition, proxy advisory firms and certain institutional investors who manage investments in public companies are increasingly integrating ESG factors into their investment analysis. The consideration of ESG factors in making investment and voting decisions is relatively new. Accordingly, the frameworks and methods for assessing ESG policies are not fully developed, vary considerably among the investment community and will likely continue to evolve over time. Moreover, the subjective nature of methods used by various stakeholders to assess a company with respect to ESG criteria could result in erroneous perceptions or a misrepresentation of the Evergy Companies' actual ESG policies and practices. Organizations that provide ratings information to investors on ESG matters may also assign unfavorable ratings to the Evergy Companies. If the Evergy Companies fail to comply with specific ESG-related investor or stakeholder expectations and standards, or to provide the disclosure relating to ESG issues that any third parties may believe is necessary or appropriate (regardless of whether there is a legal requirement to do so), their reputation, business, financial position and/or results of operations could be negatively impacted.

The Evergy Companies utilize an enterprise risk management framework to identify, evaluate and minimize risks. Risk management personnel meet annually with subject matter experts and each board member to identify and assess enterprise risk and also confer with each board member about the Evergy Companies' risk management profile. Evergy's Board of Directors (Evergy Board) has assigned primary oversight of enterprise risk management practices to the Audit Committee of the Evergy Board. At least annually, the Audit Committee reviews and discusses with management the Evergy Companies' enterprise risk management policies, processes, and frameworks, including conclusions reached regarding risk assessment and risk management.

Certain significant risks identified by the enterprise risk management process, such as cybersecurity, have a cross-functional team assigned to assess and manage the specific risk and may have oversight by a committee other than the Audit Committee. The Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Vice President, Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO), have overall accountability for the assessment, identification and management of cybersecurity risks on behalf of the Evergy Companies and Wolf Creek, respectively, subject to review by the Evergy Board and its committees. The CTO and CNO leverage the input and operations of the security management and operations team within each organizational structure. The security teams, comprised of cybersecurity professionals, lead the daily cyber risk mitigation efforts including cyber training of the workforce, threat monitoring, identification of potential cyber events and applicable compliance obligations. See Part I, Item 1, Business – Information about Evergy’s Executive Officers for a description of the CTO’s experience. The CNO has management responsibility of Wolf Creek where he has served in executive capacities since joining Wolf Creek in 2014. Prior to joining Wolf Creek, he served as vice president of engineering and site vice president of another nuclear power plant from 2009 until 2014.

The Evergy Board has assigned primary oversight of cybersecurity risk to the Safety and Power Delivery Committee of the Evergy Board. At each Safety and Power Delivery Committee meeting, the CTO discusses the Evergy Companies' cybersecurity metrics and scorecard performance; global, industry and Evergy-specific cybersecurity news; third-party assessments of the Evergy Companies' cybersecurity program; and industry benchmarking results. The Safety and Power Delivery Committee meets regularly throughout the year and may meet more frequently or otherwise be informed of cybersecurity risk and incident information as needed. The Nuclear, Power Supply and Environmental Committee of the Evergy Board supports the Safety and Power Delivery Committee's review of cybersecurity risk limited to power supply resources. The CNO discusses with the Nuclear, Power Supply and Environmental Committee risks specific to Wolf Creek, including cybersecurity risk, at least twice per year. The CNO may inform the Nuclear, Power Supply and Environmental Committee of cybersecurity matters more frequently as needed. At least once each year, the Evergy Board receives a report from management on key business and compliance risks and related mitigation plans, and management discusses cybersecurity matters with the Evergy Board in connection with this report. The Evergy Companies also have a Security and Business Continuity Committee made up of internal security experts and several Evergy corporate officers. This committee meets bi-monthly to discuss relevant security and business continuity issues.

The Evergy Companies' risk mitigation function utilizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF), the United States Department of Energy Cyber Capability Maturity Model (C2M2) standard and components of National Institute of Standards and Technology Risk Management Framework (NIST RMF) for a comprehensive, flexible and risk-based approach to managing risk from cybersecurity threats that integrates, security, privacy and cyber supply chain risk management activities. The NIST RMF considers effectiveness, efficiency and constraints due to applicable laws and regulations.

The Evergy Companies' cybersecurity organization use the NIST CSF to model the security program. The Evergy Companies have implemented a layered defense model to protect against cyber intrusions and attacks. The Evergy Companies employ security practitioners with cybersecurity and information technology degrees and certifications and with extensive experience, with several holding top secret and secret federal government clearances. The Evergy Companies have a 24-hour Security Operations Center that monitors for security events and the Evergy Companies frequently engage with multiple third parties to analyze network traffic. Further, the Evergy Companies regularly and as needed engage cybersecurity consultants and third parties to assist with the identification, assessment and mitigation of cybersecurity risks and assessment of the Evergy Companies' risk mitigation practices.

Cybersecurity threats are identified and mitigated by cybersecurity incident response plans that detail the actions to be taken when a cybersecurity incident occurs. The cybersecurity incident response plans define the organization, roles and responsibilities of the teams tasked with mitigating the impact of the cybersecurity incident. They define repeatable processes for responding to cybersecurity incidents; ensure communication to the CTO and CNO, as appropriate; minimize the impact to customer and business operations; coordinate response activities with external organizations; decrease the likelihood of reoccurrence and ensure regulatory reporting occurs, among other objectives. In addition, the Evergy Companies share network traffic with federal and state agencies to assist with the identification and mitigation of cybersecurity incidents. The Evergy Companies participate in federal and industry information sharing programs, such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to assist in the exchange of cybersecurity-related information, analysis and incident mitigation techniques. On at least an annual basis, cross-functional teams and executive management participate in a simulated cybersecurity incident exercise and the Evergy Companies regularly simulate cybersecurity incidents, including phishing attacks, to assess organizational readiness. In addition to a bi-annual internal assessment, the NRC inspects Wolf Creek's processes to validate the effectiveness of the program to protect Wolf Creek from cybersecurity threats.

In addition, the Evergy Companies review many third parties with whom the Evergy Companies do business to understand and evaluate potential cybersecurity risks of engaging the third party and work with the third party to appropriately mitigate identified risks, as needed. Among other measures, certain third parties are required to have processes in place to mitigate risk that data would be compromised, to become aware of cybersecurity incidents and/or to promptly notify the Evergy Companies of any cybersecurity incidents. Generally, the Evergy Companies retain the right to perform an assessment, audit, examination or review of all controls in the third parties' environment to monitor compliance with applicable cybersecurity agreements. The Evergy Companies may decide not to move forward with a third party that does not meet security requirements.

While the Evergy Companies have a cybersecurity program designed to protect and preserve the integrity of their information systems, the Evergy Companies also maintain cybersecurity insurance to manage financial statement risk resulting from specific cyber attacks. Although the Evergy Companies maintain cybersecurity insurance, there can be no guarantee that the Evergy Companies’ insurance coverage limits will protect against any future claims or that such insurance proceeds will be paid in a timely manner.

The Evergy Companies have been subjected to attempted cyber attacks from time to time, and will likely continue to be subject to such attempted attacks, but these prior attacks have not had a material impact on the Evergy Companies' operations or financial results to date. However, because technology is increasingly complex and cyber attacks are increasingly sophisticated and more frequent, there can be no assurance that such incidents will not have a material adverse effect on the Evergy Companies in the future. See Item 1A. Risk Factors – Operational Risks for additional information.

Generation Resources

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(a) Capability (except for wind generating facilities) represents estimated 2024 net generating capacity. Capability for wind generating facilities represents the nameplate capacity. Due to the intermittent nature of wind generation, these facilities are associated with a total of 1,529 MW of accredited generating capacity pursuant to SPP reliability standards.

(b) Evergy Kansas Central renewable power purchase agreement.

(c) Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro renewable power purchase agreement.

(d) Evergy Metro renewable power purchase agreement.

(e) Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Missouri West renewable power purchase agreement.

(f) Evergy Missouri West renewable power purchase agreement.

(g) Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West renewable power purchase agreement.

(h) Share of a jointly owned unit.

(i) In 1987, Evergy Kansas South entered into a sale-leaseback transaction involving its 50% interest in the La Cygne Unit 2. Evergy and Evergy Kansas Central consolidate the leasing entity as a variable interest entity (VIE). See Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements for more information.

(j) Although the plant was completed in 1969, a new boiler, air quality control equipment and an uprated turbine were placed in service at the Hawthorn Generating Station in 2001.

Transmission and Distribution Resources

Evergy's electric transmission system interconnects with systems of other utilities for reliability and to permit wholesale transactions with other electricity suppliers. Evergy has approximately 10,200 circuit miles of transmission lines, 44,800 circuit miles of overhead distribution lines and 16,000 circuit miles of underground distribution lines in Missouri and Kansas. Evergy has all material franchise rights necessary to sell electricity within its retail service territory. Evergy's transmission and distribution systems are routinely monitored for adequacy to meet customer needs. Management believes the current system has adequate capacity to serve customers.

General

Evergy's generating plants are located on property owned (or co-owned) by the Evergy Companies, except for certain facilities that are located on easements or are contractually controlled. Evergy's headquarters, service centers, electric substations and a portion of its transmission and distribution systems are located on property owned or leased by Evergy. Evergy's transmission and distribution systems are for the most part located above or underneath highways, streets, other public places or property owned by others. Evergy believes that it has satisfactory rights to use those places or properties in the form of permits, grants, easements, licenses or franchise rights; however, it has not necessarily undertaken efforts to examine the underlying title to the land upon which the rights rest.

Substantially all of the fixed property and franchises of the Evergy Companies, which consist principally of electric generating stations, electric transmission and distribution lines and systems, and buildings (subject to exceptions, reservations and releases), are subject to mortgage indentures pursuant to which bonds have been issued and are outstanding. See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for more information.

The Evergy Companies are parties to various lawsuits and regulatory proceedings in the ordinary course of their respective businesses. For information regarding material lawsuits and proceedings, see Notes 4 and 15 to the consolidated financial statements. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

The following combined MD&A should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in this combined annual report on Form 10-K. None of the registrants make any representation as to information related solely to Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central or Evergy Metro other than itself.

The following MD&A generally discusses 2023 and 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022. Discussions of 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021 can be found in MD&A in Part II, Item 7, of the Evergy Companies' combined annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

EVERGY, INC.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Evergy is a public utility holding company incorporated in 2017 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Evergy operates primarily through the following wholly-owned direct subsidiaries listed below.

• Evergy Kansas Central is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the state of Kansas. Evergy Kansas Central has one active wholly-owned subsidiary with significant operations, Evergy Kansas South.
• Evergy Metro is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the states of Missouri and Kansas.
• Evergy Missouri West is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the state of Missouri.
• Evergy Transmission Company owns 13.5% of Transource with the remaining 86.5% owned by AEP Transmission Holding Company, LLC, a subsidiary of AEP. Transource is focused on the development of competitive electric transmission projects. Evergy Transmission Company accounts for its investment in Transource under the equity method.

Evergy Kansas Central also owns a 50% interest in Prairie Wind, which is a joint venture between Evergy Kansas Central and subsidiaries of AEP and Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company. Prairie Wind owns a 108-mile, 345 kV double-circuit transmission line that provides transmission service in the SPP. Evergy Kansas Central accounts for its investment in Prairie Wind under the equity method.

Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Kansas South, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West conduct business in their respective service territories using the name Evergy. Collectively, the Evergy Companies have approximately 15,600 MWs of owned generating capacity and renewable power purchase agreements and engage in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity to approximately 1.7 million customers in the states of Kansas and Missouri. The Evergy Companies assess financial performance and allocate resources on a consolidated basis (i.e., operate in one segment).

Strategy

Evergy expects to continue operating its integrated utilities within the currently existing regulatory frameworks and is focused on empowering a better future for its customers, communities, employees and shareholders. The core tenets of Evergy's strategy are as follows:

• Affordability - operating the business cost-effectively and investing in technology and infrastructure to keep rates affordable and improve regional rate competitiveness; mitigating fuel and purchased power volatility by investing in a diverse generation fleet;
• Reliability - targeting transmission and distribution infrastructure investment to support reliability, flexibility, public safety, and resiliency; deploying new technology to improve preventive maintenance and customer restoration times; and
• Sustainability - investing at sustainable capital expenditure levels to maintain reliability and customer affordability for the long-term and balancing clean energy investment to continue fuel diversification and enable a responsible generation portfolio transition.

Significant elements of Evergy's plan to achieve its strategic objectives include:

• targeting approximately $12.5 billion of expected base capital investments through 2028 including new generation of approximately $2.9 billion which is expected to be primarily renewable and other generation. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources; Capital Expenditures", for further information regarding Evergy's projected capital expenditures through 2028;
• targeting a 70% reduction of owned generation CO2 emissions by 2030 (from 2005 levels) and net-zero CO2e emissions, for scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, by 2045 through the responsible transition of Evergy's generation fleet, including the continued growth of Evergy's renewable energy portfolio and the retirement of older and less efficient fossil fuel plants; achieving these emissions reductions is expected to be dependent on enabling technologies and supportive policies and regulations, among other external factors. See "Transitioning Evergy's Generation Fleet" in Part I, Item 1., Business, for additional information; and
• maintaining and continuing to advance the operating and maintenance expense reductions and efficiency gains achieved since the 2018 merger of Evergy Kansas Central and Great Plains Energy.

See "Cautionary Statements Regarding Certain Forward-Looking Information" and Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, for additional information.

Evergy Missouri West 2024 Rate Case Proceeding

In February 2024, Evergy Missouri West filed an application with the MPSC to request an increase to its retail revenues of approximately $104 million. Evergy Missouri West's request reflected a return of equity of 10.5% (with a capital structure composed of 52% equity) and increases related to the recovery of infrastructure investments made to improve reliability and enhance customer service and the inclusion of costs related to Dogwood Energy Center (Dogwood) and Crossroads Energy Center (Crossroads), two natural gas plants. New rates are expected to be effective in January 2025.

Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro 2023 Rate Case Proceeding

In April 2023, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro filed an application with the KCC to request an increase to their retail revenues. In September 2023, Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro, the KCC staff and other intervenors reached a unanimous settlement agreement to settle all outstanding issues in the case. In November 2023, the KCC approved the unanimous settlement agreement. New rates were effective in December 2023. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Renewable Generation Investment

In May 2023, Evergy Kansas Central closed on the purchase of Persimmon Creek, owner of an operational wind farm located in the state of Oklahoma with a generating capacity of approximately 199 MW, for $220.9 million, including costs incidental to the purchase of the plant. Evergy Kansas Central included the purchase of Persimmon Creek in its rate case application to the KCC which was filed in April 2023. The addition of Persimmon Creek is consistent with the preferred plan identified through Evergy Kansas Central’s integrated resource plan filed with the KCC in June 2023, which identified it as part of the lowest-cost resource plan to serve customers. In November 2023, the KCC approved the unanimous settlement agreement that included the purchase of Persimmon Creek in Evergy Kansas Central's rates through a levelized revenue requirement approach at a fixed annual rate of $18.6 million for the first 20 years, after which the levelized revenue requirement will be reevaluated. See Note 1 and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on Evergy Kansas Central's purchase of Persimmon Creek and rate case proceeding, respectively.

Convertible Debt Issuance

In December 2023, Evergy, Inc. issued $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.50% Convertible Notes (Convertible Notes), including $0.2 billion principal amount of Convertible Notes issued upon the full exercise by the initial purchasers of their over-allotment option. Proceeds from the offering were used to repay the $500.0 million borrowing under the Term Loan Facility, to repay a portion of the outstanding balance under the commercial paper program and for general corporate purposes. See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on Evergy, Inc.'s issuance of Convertible Notes.

Natural Gas Plant Investment

In November 2023, Evergy Missouri West entered into an agreement to buy a joint ownership interest in Dogwood, representing approximately 145 MW in an operational natural gas combined cycle facility located in Missouri, for approximately $60 million. The purchase is subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions, including the granting by the MPSC of a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) with reasonably acceptable terms. In November 2023, Evergy Missouri West filed an application for a CCN.

In February 2024, Evergy Missouri West, staff of the MPSC and other intervenors reached a unanimous stipulation and agreement recommending the MPSC grant Evergy Missouri West a CCN, subject to the terms and conditions included within the agreement. Among these terms and conditions, Evergy Missouri West shall be allowed to recover in rates a return of and return on the original cost, net of accumulated depreciation, of Dogwood. Evergy Missouri West shall also be allowed to recover in rates over two years a return of, but not a return on, the amount of the purchase price paid in excess of the original cost, net of accumulated depreciation, of Dogwood. In addition, net revenues generated from Evergy Missouri West's ownership of Dogwood from the date of closing to the date new rates become effective in Evergy Missouri West's current rate case shall not impact rates and shall be retained by Evergy Missouri West and reduce the amount of the purchase price paid in excess of the original cost, net of accumulated depreciation, of Dogwood to be recovered from customers. A decision by the MPSC and the closing of the transaction are expected by the end of second quarter of 2024.

Evergy Missouri West February 2021 Winter Weather Event Securitization

In February 2021, much of the central and southern United States, including the service territories of the Evergy Companies, experienced a significant winter weather event that resulted in extremely cold temperatures over a multi-day period (February 2021 winter weather event).

In November 2022, the MPSC issued a revised financing order authorizing Evergy Missouri West to issue securitized bonds to recover its extraordinary fuel and purchased power costs incurred as part of the February 2021 winter weather event. As part of the order, the MPSC found that Evergy Missouri West's costs were prudently incurred, that it should only be allowed to recover 95% of its extraordinary fuel and purchased power costs consistent with the 5% sharing provision of its fuel recovery mechanism, that it should be allowed to recover carrying costs incurred since February 2021 at Evergy Missouri West's long-term debt rate of 5.06% and approved a 15 year repayment period for the bonds with a 17 year legal maturity. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the value of Evergy Missouri West's February 2021 winter weather event regulatory asset was $323.8 million and $309.0 million, respectively. Evergy Missouri West continued to record carrying charges on its February 2021 winter weather event regulatory asset until it issued the securitized bonds in February 2024.

In January 2023, the OPC filed an appeal with the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, challenging the financing order regarding the treatment of income tax deductions, carrying costs and discount rates related to the financing of the extraordinary fuel and purchased power costs incurred as part of the February 2021 winter weather event. In September 2023, the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, affirmed the November 2022 MPSC revised financing order. In October 2023, the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, rejected the OPC's request for rehearing. The OPC did not file an appeal with the Supreme Court of the State of Missouri by the mid-November 2023 deadline and therefore the financing order is final and nonappealable. In February 2024, Evergy Missouri West issued the securitized bonds. See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the issuance of the securitized bonds.

Regulatory Proceedings

See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding other regulatory proceedings.

Wolf Creek Refueling Outage

Wolf Creek's most recent refueling outage began in October 2022 and the unit returned to service in November 2022. Wolf Creek's next refueling outage is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2024.

Earnings Overview

The following table summarizes Evergy's net income and diluted earnings per common share (EPS).

(millions, except per share amounts)

Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. decreased in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily due to higher depreciation and interest expense in 2023, recording a $96.5 million deferral of revenues in 2023 for future refund of amounts previously collected from customers related to corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) rate credits and lower retail sales driven by unfavorable weather; partially offset by lower operating and maintenance expenses, new Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West retail rates effective in January 2023, the refund obligation of amounts collected from customers for the return on investment of Sibley Station recorded in 2022, lower income tax expense, the 2022 ordered refund to customers of certain transmission revenues and an increase due to Evergy Metro's Earnings Review and Sharing Plan (ERSP).

Diluted EPS decreased in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily due to the decrease in net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. discussed above.

For additional information regarding the change in net income, refer to the Evergy Results of Operations section within this MD&A.

Non-GAAP Measures

Evergy Utility Gross Margin (non-GAAP)

Utility gross margin (non-GAAP) is a financial measure that is not calculated in accordance with GAAP. Utility gross margin (non-GAAP), as used by the Evergy Companies, is defined as operating revenues less fuel and purchased power costs and amounts billed by the SPP for network transmission costs. Expenses for fuel and purchased power costs, offset by wholesale sales margin, are subject to recovery through cost adjustment mechanisms. As a result, changes in fuel and purchased power costs are offset in operating revenues with minimal impact on net income. In addition, SPP network transmission costs fluctuate primarily due to investments by SPP members for upgrades to the transmission grid within the SPP RTO. As with fuel and purchased power costs, changes in SPP network transmission costs are mostly reflected in the prices charged to customers with minimal impact on net income. The Evergy Companies' definition of utility gross margin (non-GAAP) may differ from similar terms used by other companies.

Utility gross margin (non-GAAP) is intended to aid an investor's overall understanding of results. Management believes that utility gross margin (non-GAAP) provides a meaningful basis for evaluating the Evergy Companies' operations across periods because utility gross margin (non-GAAP) excludes the revenue effect of fluctuations in fuel and purchased power costs and SPP network transmission costs. Utility gross margin (non-GAAP) is used internally to measure performance against budget and in reports for management and the Evergy Board. Utility gross margin (non-GAAP) should be viewed as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, gross margin, which is the most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP. Gross margin under GAAP is defined as the excess of sales over cost of goods sold.

Utility gross margin (non-GAAP) differs from the GAAP definition of gross margin due to the exclusion of operating and maintenance expenses determined to be directly attributable to revenue-producing activities, depreciation and amortization and taxes other than income tax. See the Evergy Companies' Results of Operations for a reconciliation of utility gross margin (non-GAAP) to gross margin, the most comparable GAAP measure.

Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP) and Adjusted EPS (non-GAAP)

Management believes that adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are representative measures of Evergy's recurring earnings, assists in the comparability of results and is consistent with how management reviews performance.

Evergy's adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) for 2023 were $815.6 million or $3.54 per share. For 2022, Evergy's adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) were $853.8 million or $3.71 per share.

In addition to net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. and diluted EPS, Evergy's management uses adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) to evaluate earnings and EPS without:

i. the costs resulting from non-regulated energy marketing margins from the February 2021 winter weather event;

ii. gains or losses related to equity investments subject to a restriction on sale;

iii.the deferral of the cumulative amount of prior year revenues collected from customers since December 2018 for the return on investment of the retired Sibley Station in 2022 for future refunds to customers;

iv. the mark-to-market impacts of economic hedges related to Evergy Kansas Central's 8% ownership share of JEC;

v. costs resulting from executive transition, severance and advisor expenses;

vi. the deferral of the cumulative amount of transmission revenues collected from customers since 2018 through Evergy Kansas Central's FERC TFR to be refunded to customers in accordance with a December 2022 FERC order;

vii.the impairment loss on Sibley Unit 3 and other regulatory disallowances;

viii.the 2023 deferral of the cumulative amount of prior year revenues collected since October 2019 for costs related to an electric subdivision rebate program to be refunded to customers in accordance with a June 2020 KCC order; and

ix. the deferral of revenues for future refund of amounts previously collected from customers related to COLI rate credits in accordance with a September 2023 KCC rate case unanimous settlement agreement.

Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are intended to aid an investor's overall understanding of results. Management believes that adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) provides a meaningful basis for evaluating Evergy's operations across periods because it excludes certain items that management does not believe are indicative of Evergy's ongoing performance or that can create period to period earnings volatility.

Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are used internally to measure performance against budget and in reports for management and the Evergy Board. Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) are financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to other companies' presentations or more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report.

The following table provides a reconciliation between net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. and diluted EPS as determined in accordance with GAAP and adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP), respectively.

(millions, except per share amounts)

(a) Reflects non-regulated energy marketing margins related to the February 2021 winter weather event that are included in operating revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

(b) Reflects the deferral of the cumulative amount of prior year revenues collected from customers since December 2018 for the return on investment of the retired Sibley Station for future refunds to customers that are included in operating revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

(c) Reflects mark-to-market gains or losses related to forward contracts for natural gas and electricity entered into as economic hedges against fuel price volatility related to Evergy Kansas Central's 8% ownership share of JEC that are included in operating revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

(d) Reflects non-regulated energy marketing incentive compensation costs related to the February 2021 winter weather event that are included in operating and maintenance expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

(e) Reflects costs associated with executive transition including inducement bonuses, severance agreements and other transition expenses that are included in operating and maintenance expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

(f) Reflects severance costs incurred associated with certain severance programs at the Evergy Companies that are included in operating and maintenance expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

(g) Reflects advisor expenses incurred associated with strategic planning that are included in operating and maintenance expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

(h) Reflects the impairment loss on Sibley Unit 3 and costs related to certain meter replacements that were disallowed in the 2022 Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West rate cases that are included in Sibley Unit 3 impairment loss and other regulatory disallowances on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

(i) Reflects losses related to equity investments which were subject to a restriction on sale that are included in investment earnings on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

(j) Reflects the deferral of the cumulative amount of prior year transmission revenues collected from customers since 2018 through Evergy Kansas Central's transmission formula rate to be refunded to customers in accordance with a December 2022 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission order that are included in operating revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

(k) Reflects the deferral of the cumulative amount of prior year revenues collected since October 2019 for costs related to an electric subdivision rebate program to be refunded to customers in accordance with a June 2020 KCC order that are included in operating revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

(l) Reflects the deferral of revenues for future refund of amounts previously collected from customers related to COLI rate credits in accordance with a September 2023 KCC rate case unanimous settlement agreement reached between Evergy, the KCC staff and other intervenors that are included in operating revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

(m) Reflects an income tax effect calculated at a statutory rate of approximately 22%.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding environmental matters.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding related party transactions.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if it requires assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made and changes in the estimate, or different estimates that could have been used, could have a material impact on Evergy's results of operations and financial position. Management has identified the following accounting policies as critical to the understanding of Evergy's results of operations and financial position. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of the Evergy Board.

Pensions

Evergy incurs significant costs in providing non-contributory defined pension benefits. The costs are measured using actuarial valuations that are dependent upon numerous factors derived from actual plan experience and assumptions of future plan experience.

Pension costs are impacted by actual employee demographics (including age, life expectancies, compensation levels and employment periods), earnings on plan assets, the level of contributions made to the plan, and plan amendments. In addition, pension costs are also affected by changes in key actuarial assumptions, including anticipated rates of return on plan assets and the discount rates used in determining the projected benefit obligation and pension costs.

The assumed rate of return on plan assets was developed based on the weighted-average of long-term returns forecast for the expected portfolio mix of investments held by the plan. The assumed discount rate was selected based on the prevailing market rate of fixed income debt instruments with maturities matching the expected timing of the benefit obligation. These assumptions, updated annually at the measurement date, are based on management's best estimates and judgment; however, material changes may occur if these assumptions differ from actual events. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding the assumptions used to determine benefit obligations and net costs.

The following table reflects the sensitivities associated with a 0.5% increase or a 0.5% decrease in key actuarial assumptions for Evergy's qualified pension plans. Each sensitivity reflects the impact of the change based on a change in that assumption only.

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Pension expense for Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West is recorded in accordance with rate orders from the KCC and MPSC. The orders allow the difference between pension costs under GAAP and pension costs for ratemaking to be recorded as a regulatory asset or liability with future ratemaking recovery or refunds, as appropriate.

In 2023, Evergy's pension expense was $8.5 million under GAAP and $102.5 million for ratemaking. The impact on 2024 pension expense in the table above reflects the impact on GAAP pension costs. Under the Evergy Companies' rate agreements, any increase or decrease in GAAP pension expense is deferred to a regulatory asset or liability for future ratemaking treatment. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the accounting for pensions.

Market conditions and interest rates significantly affect the future assets and liabilities of the plan. It is difficult to predict future pension costs, changes in pension liability and cash funding requirements due to the inherent uncertainty of market conditions.

Revenue Recognition

Evergy recognizes revenue on the sale of electricity to customers over time as the service is provided in the amount it has the right to invoice. Revenues recorded include electric services provided but not yet billed by Evergy. Unbilled revenues are recorded for kWh usage in the period following the customers' billing cycle to the end of the month. This estimate is based on net system kWh usage less actual billed kWhs. Evergy's estimated unbilled kWhs are allocated and priced by regulatory jurisdiction across the rate classes based on actual billing rates. Evergy's unbilled revenue estimate is affected by factors including fluctuations in energy demand, weather, line losses and changes in the composition of customer classes. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for the balance of unbilled receivables for Evergy as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

Evergy has recorded assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets resulting from the effects of the ratemaking process, which would not otherwise be recorded under GAAP. Regulatory assets represent incurred costs that are probable of recovery from future revenues. Regulatory liabilities represent future reductions in revenues or refunds to customers.

Management regularly assesses whether regulatory assets and liabilities are probable of future recovery or refund by considering factors such as decisions by the MPSC, KCC or FERC in Evergy's rate case filings; decisions in other regulatory proceedings, including decisions related to other companies that establish precedent on matters applicable to Evergy; and changes in laws and regulations. If recovery or refund of regulatory assets or liabilities is not approved by regulators or is no longer deemed probable, these regulatory assets or liabilities are recognized in the current period results of operations. Evergy's continued ability to meet the criteria for recording regulatory assets and liabilities may be affected in the future by restructuring and deregulation in the electric industry or changes in accounting rules. In the event that the criteria no longer applied to all or a portion of Evergy's operations, the related regulatory assets and liabilities would be written off unless an appropriate regulatory recovery mechanism were provided. Additionally, these factors could result in an impairment on utility plant assets. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Impairments of Assets and Goodwill

Long-lived assets are required to be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable as prescribed under GAAP.

Accounting rules require goodwill to be tested for impairment annually and when an event occurs indicating the possibility that an impairment exists. The goodwill impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill, to identify potential impairment. In the event that the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying amount of the reporting unit and its fair value. Evergy's consolidated operations are considered one reporting unit for assessment of impairment, as management assesses financial performance and allocates resources on a consolidated basis. The annual impairment test for the $2,336.6 million of goodwill from the Great Plains Energy and Evergy Kansas Central merger was conducted as of May 1, 2023. The fair value of the reporting unit substantially exceeded the carrying amount, including goodwill. As a result, there was no impairment of goodwill.

The determination of fair value for the reporting unit consisted of two valuation techniques: an income approach consisting of a discounted cash flow analysis and a market approach consisting of a determination of reporting unit invested capital using a market multiple derived from the historical earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and market prices of the stock of peer companies. The results of the two techniques were evaluated and weighted to determine a point within the range that management considered representative of fair value for the reporting unit, which involves a significant amount of management judgment.

The discounted cash flow analysis is most significantly impacted by two assumptions: estimated future cash flows and the discount rate applied to those cash flows. Management determines the appropriate discount rate to be based on the reporting unit's weighted average cost of capital (WACC). The WACC takes into account both the return on equity authorized by the KCC and MPSC and after-tax cost of debt. Estimated future cash flows are based on Evergy's internal business plan, which assumes the occurrence of certain events in the future, such as the outcome of future rate filings, future approved rates of return on equity, anticipated returns of and earnings on future capital investments, continued recovery of cost of service and the renewal of certain contracts. Management also makes assumptions regarding the run rate of operations, maintenance and general and administrative costs based on the expected outcome of the aforementioned events. Should the actual outcome of some or all of these assumptions differ significantly from the current assumptions, revisions to current cash flow assumptions could cause the fair value of the Evergy reporting unit under the income approach to be significantly different in future periods and could result in a future impairment charge to goodwill.

The market approach analysis is most significantly impacted by management's selection of relevant peer companies as well as the determination of an appropriate control premium to be added to the calculated invested capital of the reporting unit, as control premiums associated with a controlling interest are not reflected in the quoted market price of a single share of stock. Management determines an appropriate control premium by using an average of control premiums for recent acquisitions in the industry. Changes in results of peer companies, selection of different peer companies and future acquisitions with significantly different control premiums could result in a significantly different fair value of the Evergy reporting unit.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset/liability approach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, applying enacted statutory tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred investment tax credits are amortized ratably over the life of the related property. Deferred tax assets are also recorded for net operating losses, capital losses and tax credit carryforwards. Evergy is required to estimate the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and the deferred tax liabilities and assets for future tax consequences of events reflected in Evergy's consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Actual results could differ from these estimates for a variety of reasons including changes in income tax laws, enacted tax rates and results of audits by taxing authorities. This process also requires management to make assessments regarding the timing and probability of the ultimate tax impact from which actual results may differ. Evergy records valuation allowances on deferred tax assets if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized. See Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Evergy has recognized legal obligations associated with the disposal of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development or normal operation of such assets. Concurrent with the recognition of the liability, the estimated cost of the ARO incurred at the time the related long-lived assets were either acquired, placed in service or when regulations establishing the obligation became effective is also recorded to property, plant and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets. The recording of AROs for regulated operations has no income statement impact due to the deferral of the adjustments through the establishment of a regulatory asset or an offset to a regulatory liability.

Evergy initially recorded AROs at fair value for the estimated cost to decommission Wolf Creek (94% indirect share), retire wind generating facilities, dispose of asbestos insulating material at its power plants, remediate ash disposal ponds and close ash landfills, among other items. ARO refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement may be conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. In determining Evergy's AROs, assumptions are made regarding probable future disposal costs and the timing of their occurrence. The results of these assumptions are discounted using credit-adjusted risk-free rates (CARFR). The CARFR is determined as the current U.S. Treasury bonds rates corresponding to the period of expected settlement activities and is adjusted for the associated bond rates Evergy would be charged to borrow for the specific time period. Any change in these assumptions could have a significant impact on Evergy's AROs reflected on its consolidated balance sheets.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, Evergy had recorded AROs of $1,203.1 million and $1,153.2 million, respectively. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for more information regarding Evergy's AROs.

EVERGY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Evergy's results of operations and financial position are affected by a variety of factors including rate regulation, fuel costs, weather, customer behavior and demand, the economy and competitive forces.

Substantially all of Evergy's revenues are subject to state or federal regulation. This regulation has a significant impact on the price the Evergy Companies charge for electric service. Evergy's results of operations and financial position are affected by its ability to align overall spending, both operating and capital, within the frameworks established by its regulators and to mitigate the impacts of inflationary pressures.

Wholesale revenues are impacted by, among other factors, demand, cost and availability of fuel and purchased power, price volatility, available generation capacity, transmission availability and weather.

The Evergy Companies use coal, uranium and gas for the generation of electricity for their customers and also purchase power through renewable power purchase agreements or on the open market. The prices for fuel used in generation or the market price of power purchases can fluctuate significantly due to a variety of factors including supply, demand, weather and the broader economic environment. Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West have fuel recovery mechanisms in their Kansas and Missouri jurisdictions, as applicable, that allow them to defer and subsequently recover or refund, through customer rates, substantially all of the variance in net energy costs from the amount set in base rates without a general rate case proceeding.

Weather significantly affects the amount of electricity that Evergy's customers use as electricity sales are seasonal. As summer peaking utilities, the third quarter typically accounts for the greatest electricity sales by the Evergy Companies. Hot summer temperatures and cold winter temperatures prompt more demand, especially among residential and commercial customers, and to a lesser extent, industrial customers. Mild weather reduces customer demand.

Energy efficiency investments by customers and the Evergy Companies also can affect the demand for electric service. Through MEEIA, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West offer energy efficiency and demand side management programs to their Missouri retail customers and recover program costs, throughput disincentive, and as applicable, certain earnings opportunities in retail rates through a rider mechanism.

The Evergy Companies' taxes other than income taxes, of which property taxes are a significant component, can fluctuate significantly due to a variety of factors, including changes in taxable values and property tax rates. Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West have property tax surcharges or trackers that allow them to defer and subsequently recover or refund, through customer rates, substantially all of the variance in property tax costs from the amounts set in base rates.

The following table summarizes Evergy's comparative results of operations.

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Gross Margin (GAAP) and Utility Gross Margin (non-GAAP)

The following tables summarize Evergy's gross margin (GAAP) and MWhs sold and reconcile Evergy's gross margin (GAAP) to Evergy's utility gross margin (non-GAAP). See "Executive Summary - Non-GAAP Measures" for additional information regarding gross margin (GAAP) and utility gross margin (non-GAAP).

46

Evergy's gross margin (GAAP) decreased $118.9 million in 2023, compared to 2022, and Evergy's utility gross margin (non-GAAP) decreased $4.1 million in 2023, compared to 2022, both measures were driven by:

• a $96.5 million decrease due to the deferral of revenues at Evergy Kansas Central in 2023 for future refund to customers of amounts previously collected from customers related to COLI rate credits;
• an $83.1 million decrease primarily due to lower retail sales driven by unfavorable weather (cooling degree days decreased by 6% and heating degree days decreased by 13%), partially offset by higher weather-normalized residential and commercial demand;
• a $19.9 million decrease due to mark-to-market losses related to forward contracts for natural gas and electricity entered into as economic hedges against fuel price volatility related to Evergy Kansas Central's 8% ownership share of JEC; and
• a $10.3 million decrease in operating revenue related to non-regulated energy marketing activity at Evergy Kansas Central; partially offset by
• a $71.0 million increase from new Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West retail rates effective in January 2023;
• a $51.4 million increase due to the 2022 deferral of the cumulative amount of prior year revenues collected from customers since December 2018 for the return on investment of the retired Sibley Station for future refund to customers;
• a $32.8 million increase in transmission revenues due to the 2022 deferral of revenues as a result of receiving a December 2022 FERC order requiring Evergy Kansas Central to refund through its TFR amounts related to overcollections related to the calculation of Evergy Kansas Central's capital structure for rate years 2018 through 2022;
• a $27.8 million increase due to recording an estimated $16.7 million refund obligation under Evergy Metro's ERSP in 2022 and an $11.1 million reduction to the estimated refund obligation which was ordered and recorded in 2023. See Note 4 of the consolidated financial statements for additional information; and
• a $22.7 million increase in transmission revenues related to the amortization of excess deferred income taxes authorized by FERC in December 2022 and which is offset in income tax expense.

Additionally, the decrease in Evergy's gross margin (GAAP) was also driven by:

• a $147.1 million increase in depreciation and amortization primarily driven by a change in depreciation rates at Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West and capital additions as described further below; and
• an $8.5 million increase in taxes other than income taxes driven by an increase in property taxes in Missouri and Kansas primarily due to higher assessed property tax values as described further below; offset by
• a $40.8 million decrease in operating and maintenance expenses which are determined to be directly attributable to revenue producing activities primarily driven by an $18.6 million decrease in operating and maintenance expense at fossil-fuel generating units, a $16.7 million decrease in transmission and distribution operating and maintenance expense and a $6.1 million decrease in operating and maintenance expense at Wolf Creek as described further below.

Operating and Maintenance

Evergy's operating and maintenance expense decreased $140.0 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• a $34.1 million decrease in administrative labor and employee benefits expenses primarily due to lower employee headcount in 2023;
• a $27.6 million decrease in various administrative and general operating and maintenance expenses primarily due to lower regulatory amortizations at Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West as a result of their 2022 rate cases;
• an $18.6 million decrease in plant operating and maintenance expense at fossil-fuel generating units primarily due to an $14.9 million decrease at Evergy Kansas Central resulting principally from a major outage at JEC Unit 3 in 2023;
• a $16.7 million decrease in transmission and distribution operating and maintenance expenses driven by a $19.9 million decrease in labor expense primarily due to an increase in labor capitalization and lower employee headcount; partially offset by $5.8 million of costs at Evergy Metro incurred from storms that occurred in July 2023;
• a $6.1 million decrease in plant operating and maintenance expense at Wolf Creek at Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro primarily due to lower refueling outage amortization in 2023; and
• $5.4 million of advisor expenses incurred in 2022 associated with strategic planning.

Depreciation and Amortization

Evergy's depreciation and amortization increased $147.1 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• a $76.3 million increase primarily due to a change in depreciation rates and the rebasing of PISA depreciation deferrals as a result of Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's 2022 rate cases effective in January 2023; and
• a $70.8 million increase primarily due to capital additions.

Taxes Other Than Income Tax

Evergy's taxes other than income tax increased $8.5 million in 2023, compared to 2022, driven by an increase in property taxes in Missouri and Kansas primarily due to higher assessed property tax values.

Sibley Unit 3 Impairment Loss and Other Regulatory Disallowances

Evergy recorded a $26.7 million impairment loss on Evergy Missouri West's regulatory asset for retired generation facilities related to Sibley Unit 3 in 2022 and $5.5 million and $2.7 million losses at Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West, respectively, in accordance with the amended final rate order from the MPSC in their 2022 rate cases which disallowed the recovery of costs associated with the replacement of certain electric meters. See Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Evergy's other expense, net decreased $53.2 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• a $21.9 million decrease due to recording higher Evergy Kansas Central COLI benefits;
• a $20.3 million decrease due to higher investment earnings primarily driven by a $16.3 million loss related to Evergy's equity investment in an early-stage energy solutions company that was sold in 2022 through a share forward agreement and a $7.4 million increase to other income due to net realized losses becoming net unrealized gains in Evergy Kansas Central's rabbi trust; and
• an $11.7 million decrease in pension non-service costs; partially offset by
• an $11.6 million decrease in equity allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) principally driven by higher short-term debt balances in 2023.

Interest Expense

Evergy's interest expense increased $121.8 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• an $84.4 million increase in interest expense on short-term borrowings primarily due to higher short-term debt balances and weighted-average interest rates in 2023;
• an $18.2 million increase due to the issuance of Evergy Kansas Central's $400.0 million of 5.70% FMBs in March 2023;
• a $14.3 million increase due to the issuance of Evergy Missouri West's $300.0 million of 5.15% FMBs in December 2022; and
• a $4.2 million increase due to the issuance of Evergy, Inc.'s $1.4 billion of 4.50% Convertible Notes in December 2023; partially offset by
• a $23.5 million decrease due to higher debt AFUDC primarily driven by higher short-term debt balances and higher weighted-average interest rates in 2023.

Income Tax Expense

Evergy's income tax expense decreased $31.9 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• a $15.9 million decrease primarily due to higher wind and other income tax credits in 2023 principally driven by the acquisition of the Persimmon Creek wind farm;
• a $10.7 million decrease primarily due to lower Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro pre-tax income in 2023; and
• a $4.7 million decrease primarily due to higher amortization of excess deferred income taxes authorized by Evergy Metro's and Evergy Missouri West's 2022 rate case.

EVERGY SIGNIFICANT BALANCE SHEET CHANGES

(December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022)

• Evergy's receivables, net decreased $58.4 million primarily driven by a $50.6 million decrease at Evergy Kansas Central in wholesale sales accounts receivable driven by higher SPP pricing in December 2022 and a decrease in power sold to the SPP in 2023.
• Evergy's fuel and supplies inventory increased $103.3 million primarily due to a $69.3 million increase in coal inventories driven by lower coal burn, improved railroad performance and higher average coal prices in 2023 and a $26.7 million increase in materials and supplies primarily driven by higher costs and higher overall levels of inventory to mitigate longer supply chain lead times.
• Evergy's regulatory assets - current decreased $75.9 million primarily driven by a $97.9 million decrease related to Evergy Missouri West's fuel recovery mechanism recoveries, partially offset by the reclassification of $18.6 million from regulatory assets - long-term related to deferred fuel and purchased power costs at Evergy Kansas Central expected to be recovered in the next 12 months related to the February 2021 winter weather event.
• Evergy's nuclear decommissioning trust funds increased $113.1 million primarily driven by realized and unrealized gains on investments at Evergy Kansas Central's and Evergy Metro's nuclear decommissioning trusts.
• Evergy's current maturities of long-term debt increased $360.9 million primarily due to the reclassification of Evergy's $800.0 million of 2.45% Senior Notes from long-term to current, partially offset by the repayments of Evergy Metro's $300.0 million of 3.15% Senior Notes in March 2023, Evergy Metro's $79.5 million of 2.95% Environmental Improvement Revenue Refunding (EIRR) bonds in December 2023, Evergy Kansas South's $50.0 million of 6.15% FMBs in May 2023, Evergy Missouri West's $7.0 million of 7.17% Series Medium Term Notes in December 2023 and Evergy Missouri West's $3.0 million of 7.33% Series Medium Term Notes in November 2023.
• Evergy's commercial paper decreased $380.5 million primarily due to a $541.7 million decrease at Evergy Kansas Central due to the repayment of commercial paper with the proceeds from its issuance of $400.0 million of 5.70% FMBs in March of 2023 and $300.0 million of 5.90% FMBs in November 2023; partially offset by a $312.3 million increase at Evergy Metro due to borrowings for capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.
• Evergy's long-term debt, net increased $1,147.6 million primarily driven by Evergy's issuance of $1.4 billion of 4.50% Convertible Notes in December 2023. The net proceeds were used to repay the $500.0 million outstanding under the Term Loan, to repay a portion of the Evergy Companies' outstanding commercial paper borrowings and for general corporate purposes.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Evergy relies primarily upon cash from operations, short-term borrowings, debt and equity issuances and its existing cash and cash equivalents to fund its capital requirements. Evergy's capital requirements primarily consist of capital expenditures, payment of contractual obligations and other commitments and the payment of dividends to shareholders.

Capital Sources

Cash Flows from Operations

Evergy's cash flows from operations are driven by the regulated sale of electricity. These cash flows are relatively stable but the timing and level of these cash flows can vary based on weather and economic conditions, future regulatory proceedings, the timing of cash payments made for costs recoverable under regulatory mechanisms and the time such costs are recovered, and unanticipated expenses such as unplanned plant outages and storms. Evergy's cash flows from operations were $1,980.2 million, $1,801.9 million and $1,351.7 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Short-Term Borrowings

As of December 31, 2023, Evergy had $1.5 billion of available borrowing capacity under its master credit facility. The available borrowing capacity under the master credit facility consisted of $299.3 million for Evergy, Inc., $518.6 million for Evergy Kansas Central, $326.7 million for Evergy Metro and $401.9 million for Evergy Missouri West. The Evergy Companies' borrowing capacity under the master credit facility also supports their issuance of commercial paper. See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the master credit facility.

In February 2022, Evergy, Inc. entered into a $500.0 million unsecured Term Loan Facility with an original expiration date in February 2023. In February 2023, Evergy, Inc. amended the $500.0 million Term Loan Facility to expire in February 2024. As a result of the amendment, Evergy, Inc. demonstrated its intent and ability to refinance the Term Loan Facility and reflected this $500.0 million borrowing within long-term debt, net, on Evergy's consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022. Evergy's borrowings under the Term Loan Facility were used for, among other things, working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. In December 2023, Evergy repaid its $500.0 million Term Loan Facility with a portion of the proceeds from Evergy's issuance of $1.4 billion of 4.50% Convertible Notes.

Along with cash flows from operations and receivable sales facilities, Evergy generally uses borrowings under its master credit facility and the issuance of commercial paper to meet its day-to-day cash flow requirements. Evergy believes that its existing cash on hand and available borrowing capacity under its master credit facility provide sufficient liquidity for its existing capital requirements.

Long-Term Debt and Equity Issuances

From time to time, Evergy issues long-term debt and equity to repay short-term debt, refinance maturing long-term debt and finance growth. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, Evergy's capital structure, excluding short-term debt, was as follows:

Under stipulations with the MPSC and KCC, Evergy, Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro are required to maintain common equity at not less than 35%, 40% and 40%, respectively, of total capitalization. The master credit facility and certain debt instruments of the Evergy Companies also contain restrictions that require the maintenance of certain capitalization and leverage ratios. As of December 31, 2023, the Evergy Companies were in compliance with these covenants.

Significant Debt Issuances

See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding significant debt issuances.

Equity Issuance

See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding Evergy's securities purchase agreement with Bluescape to purchase Evergy's common stock in 2021.

Credit Ratings

The ratings of the Evergy Companies' debt securities by the credit rating agencies impact the Evergy Companies' liquidity, including the cost of borrowings under their master credit facility and in the capital markets. The Evergy Companies view maintenance of strong credit ratings as vital to their access to and cost of debt financing and, to that end, maintain an active and ongoing dialogue with the agencies with respect to results of operations, financial position and future prospects. While a decrease in these credit ratings would not cause any acceleration of the Evergy Companies' debt, it could increase interest charges under the master credit facility. A decrease in credit ratings could also have, among other things, an adverse impact, which could be material, on the Evergy Companies' access to capital, the cost of funds, the ability to recover actual interest costs in state regulatory proceedings, the type and amounts of collateral required under supply agreements and Evergy's ability to provide credit support for its subsidiaries.

As of February 28, 2024, the major credit rating agencies rated the Evergy Companies' securities as detailed in the following table.

(a) A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency.

Shelf Registration Statements and Regulatory Authorizations

Evergy

In September 2021, Evergy filed an automatic shelf registration statement providing for the sale of unlimited amounts of securities with the SEC, which expires in September 2024.

Evergy Kansas Central

In September 2021, Evergy Kansas Central filed an automatic shelf registration statement providing for the sale of unlimited amounts of unsecured debt securities and FMBs with the SEC, which expires in September 2024.

Evergy Metro

In September 2021, Evergy Metro filed an automatic shelf registration statement providing for the sale of unlimited amounts of unsecured notes and mortgage bonds with the SEC, which expires in September 2024.

The following table summarizes the regulatory short-term and long-term debt financing authorizations for Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Kansas South, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West and the remaining amount available under these authorizations as of December 31, 2023.

(in millions)

In addition to the above regulatory authorizations, the Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Kansas South, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West mortgages each contain provisions restricting the amount of FMBs or mortgage bonds, as applicable, that can be issued by each entity. Evergy Kansas Central, Evergy Kansas South, Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West must comply with these restrictions prior to the issuance of additional FMBs, mortgage bonds or other secured indebtedness. Also, Evergy Metro's long-term financing activities are subject to the authorization of the MPSC. In February 2024, Evergy Metro filed an application requesting MPSC approval to issue up to $300.0 million of long-term debt through December 2024. Evergy Metro requested a final order from the MPSC no later than March 15, 2024.

Under the Evergy Kansas Central mortgage, the issuance of FMBs is subject to limitations based on the amount of bondable property additions. In addition, so long as any bonds issued prior to January 1, 1997, remain outstanding, the mortgage prohibits additional FMBs from being issued, except in connection with certain refundings, unless Evergy Kansas Central’s unconsolidated net earnings available for interest, depreciation and property retirement (which, as defined, does not include earnings or losses attributable to the ownership of securities of subsidiaries), for a period of 12 consecutive months within 15 months preceding the issuance, are not less than the greater of twice the annual interest charges on or 10% of the principal amount of all FMBs outstanding after giving effect to the proposed issuance. As of December 31, 2023, $518.6 million principal amount of additional FMBs could be issued under the most restrictive provisions in the mortgage, except in connection with certain refundings.

Under the Evergy Kansas South mortgage, the amount of FMBs authorized is limited to a maximum of $3.5 billion and the issuance of FMBs is subject to limitations based on the amount of bondable property additions. In addition, the mortgage prohibits additional FMBs from being issued, except in connection with certain refundings, unless Evergy Kansas South's net earnings before income taxes and before provision for retirement and depreciation of property for a period of 12 consecutive months within 15 months preceding the issuance are not less than either two and one-half times the annual interest charges on or 10% of the principal amount of all Evergy Kansas South FMBs outstanding after giving effect to the proposed issuance. As of December 31, 2023, approximately $2,878.6 million principal amount of additional Evergy Kansas South FMBs could be issued under the most restrictive provisions in the mortgage, except in connection with certain refundings.

Under the General Mortgage Indenture and Deed of Trust dated as of December 1, 1986, as supplemented (Evergy Metro Mortgage Indenture), additional Evergy Metro mortgage bonds may be issued on the basis of 75% of property additions or retired bonds. As of December 31, 2023, approximately $5,548.5 million principal amount of additional Evergy Metro mortgage bonds could be issued under the most restrictive provisions in the mortgage.

Under the First Mortgage Indenture and Deed of Trust, dated as of March 1, 2022 (Evergy Missouri West Mortgage Indenture), additional Evergy Missouri West mortgage bonds may be issued on the basis of 75% of property additions or retired bonds. As of December 31, 2023, approximately $2,158.7 million principal amount of additional Evergy Missouri West mortgage bonds could be issued under the most restrictive provisions in the mortgage.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

As of December 31, 2023, Evergy had approximately $27.7 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand.

Capital Requirements

Capital Expenditures

Evergy expects to need cash for its long-term strategy of transitioning its generation fleet to be more sustainable by reducing CO2 emissions and net-zero CO2e emissions, for scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, as well as executing other utility construction programs required to maintain Evergy's electric utility operations, improve reliability and expand facilities related to providing electric service. These capital expenditures could include, but are not limited to, expenditures to develop new transmission lines and make improvements to power plants, transmission and distribution lines and equipment. See "Executive Summary - Strategy", above for further information regarding Evergy's strategy. Evergy's capital expenditures were $2,334.0 million, $2,166.5 million and $1,972.5 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Capital expenditures projected for the next five years, excluding AFUDC and including costs of removal, are detailed in the following table. This capital expenditure forecast is subject to management's discretion and continual review and could change. See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors for information regarding potential risks to Evergy's capital expenditure plan.

Significant Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

In the course of its business activities, the Evergy Companies enter into a variety of contracts and commercial commitments. Some of these result in direct obligations reflected on Evergy's consolidated balance sheets while others are commitments, some firm and some based on projections, not reflected in Evergy's underlying consolidated financial statements.

The information in the following table is provided to summarize Evergy's significant cash obligations and commercial commitments.

(a) Evergy expects to make contributions to the pension and other post-retirement plans beyond 2028 but the amounts are not yet determined.

Long-term debt includes current maturities. Long-term debt principal excludes $106.0 million of unamortized net discounts and debt issuance costs and a $87.0 million fair value adjustment recorded in connection with purchase accounting for the Great Plains Energy and Evergy Kansas Central merger that was completed in 2018. Variable rate interest obligations are based on rates as of December 31, 2023.

Evergy expects to contribute $46.0 million to the pension and other post-retirement plans in 2024, of which the majority is expected to be paid by Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Metro. Additional contributions to the plans are expected beyond 2028 in amounts at least sufficient to meet the greater of Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA) or regulatory funding requirements; however, these amounts have not yet been determined. Amounts for years after 2024 are estimates based on information available in determining the amount for 2024. Actual amounts for years after 2024 could be significantly different than the estimated amounts in the table above.

Fuel commitments consist of commitments for nuclear fuel, coal and coal transportation costs. Power commitments consist of certain commitments for renewable energy under power purchase agreements, capacity purchases and firm transmission service.

As of December 31, 2023, Evergy has other insignificant commitments as well as other insignificant long-term liabilities recorded on its consolidated balance sheet, which are not included in the table above.

Common Stock Dividends

The amount and timing of dividends payable on Evergy's common stock are within the sole discretion of the Evergy Board. The amount and timing of dividends declared by the Evergy Board will be dependent on considerations such as Evergy's earnings, financial position, cash flows, capitalization ratios, regulation, reinvestment opportunities and debt covenants. Evergy targets a long-term dividend payout ratio of 60% to 70% of earnings. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for information on the common stock dividend declared by the Evergy Board in February 2024.

The Evergy Companies also have certain restrictions stemming from statutory requirements, corporate organizational documents, covenants and other conditions that could affect dividend levels. See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of restrictions on dividend payments.

Cash Flows

The following table presents Evergy's cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Evergy's cash flows from operating activities increased $178.3 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• a $121.9 million increase in fuel recovery mechanism net collections, primarily at Evergy Missouri West; and
• $24.8 million in payments made for a Wolf Creek refueling outage in 2022.

Cash Flows used in Investing Activities

Evergy's cash flows used in investing activities increased $319.5 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• the acquisition of Persimmon Creek Wind Farm for $217.9 million, net of cash acquired, in 2023; and
• a $167.5 million increase in additions to property, plant and equipment, primarily due to increased spending for a variety of capital projects including transmission and distribution projects related to grid resiliency and other infrastructure improvements, primarily at Evergy Kansas Central; partially offset by
• an $83.5 million increase in proceeds from COLI investments, primarily from Evergy Kansas Central due to a higher number of policy settlements in 2023.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Evergy's cash flows from financing activities increased $144.7 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• a $1,877.1 million increase in proceeds from long-term debt primarily due to Evergy Kansas Central's issuance of $400.0 million of 5.70% FMBs in March 2023, Evergy Metro’s issuance of $300.0 million of 4.95% Mortgage Bonds in April 2023, Evergy Kansas Central's issuance of $300.0 million of 5.90% FMBs in November 2023, Evergy Metro’s issuance of $79.5 million of 4.30% Series 2023 tax-exempt notes in December 2023 and Evergy's issuance of $1.4 billion of 4.50% Convertible Notes in December 2023; partially offset by Evergy Missouri West's issuance of $250.0 million of 3.75% FMBs in March 2022 and Evergy Missouri West's issuance of $300.0 million of 5.15% FMBs in December 2022; partially offset by
• a $1,554.8 million decrease in short-term debt borrowings primarily due to the repayments of Evergy's $500.0 million Term Loan Facility and $759.9 million of commercial paper borrowings with the proceeds from its issuance of $1.4 billion of 4.50% Convertible Notes in December 2023 and the $500.0 million Term Loan Facility proceeds in 2022; partially offset by Evergy Kansas South's repayment of $50.0 million of 6.15% FMBs in May 2023 with commercial paper borrowings;
• a $61.8 million increase in the repayment of borrowings against the cash surrender value of COLI primarily due to a higher number of policy settlements in 2023; and
• a $57.0 million decrease in collateralized short-term debt, net primarily due to Evergy's decrease in retail electric accounts receivable balances in 2023 compared to an increase in retail electric accounts receivable balances in 2022, resulting in a lower level of retail electric receivables available for sale through Evergy's receivable sales facilities.

EVERGY KANSAS CENTRAL, INC.

MANAGEMENT'S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The below results of operations and related discussion for Evergy Kansas Central is presented in a reduced disclosure format in accordance with General Instruction (I)(2)(a) to Form 10-K.

The following table summarizes Evergy Kansas Central's comparative results of operations.

57

Evergy Kansas Central Gross Margin (GAAP) and Utility Gross Margin (non-GAAP)

The following table summarizes Evergy Kansas Central's gross margin (GAAP) and MWhs sold and reconciles Evergy Kansas Central's gross margin (GAAP) to Evergy Kansas Central's utility gross margin (non-GAAP). See "Executive Summary - Non-GAAP Measures" for additional information regarding gross margin (GAAP) and utility gross margin (non-GAAP).

Evergy Kansas Central's gross margin (GAAP) decreased $77.3 million in 2023, compared to 2022, and Evergy Kansas Central's utility gross margin (non-GAAP) decreased $74.2 million in 2023, compared to 2022, both measures were driven by:

• a $96.5 million decrease due to the deferral of revenues in 2023 for future refund to customers of amounts previously collected from customers related to COLI rate credits;
• a $38.6 million decrease primarily due to lower retail sales driven by unfavorable weather (cooling degree days decreased by 3% and heating degree days decreased by 14%); and
• a $19.9 million decrease due to mark-to-market losses related to forward contracts for natural gas and electricity entered into as economic hedges against fuel price volatility related to Evergy Kansas Central's 8% ownership share of JEC; partially offset by
• a $32.8 million increase in transmission revenues due to the 2022 deferral of revenues as a result of receiving a December 2022 FERC order requiring Evergy Kansas Central to refund through its TFR amounts related to overcollections related to the calculation of Evergy Kansas Central's capital structure for rate years 2018 through 2022;
• a $25.3 million increase in transmission revenue primarily due to updated transmission costs reflected in Evergy Kansas Central's FERC TFR effective in January 2023 and revised in March 2023; and
• a $22.7 million increase in transmission revenues related to the amortization of excess deferred income taxes authorized by FERC in December 2022 and which is offset in income tax expense.

Additionally, the decrease in Evergy Kansas Central's gross margin (GAAP) was also driven by:

• a $30.9 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense as described further below; partially offset by
• a $31.1 million decrease in operating and maintenance expenses which are determined to be directly attributable to revenue producing activities primarily driven by a $14.9 million decrease in operating and maintenance expense at fossil-fuel generating units, a $14.0 million decrease in transmission and distribution operating and maintenance expenses and a $2.9 million decrease in operating and maintenance expense at Wolf Creek as described further below.

Evergy Kansas Central Operating and Maintenance

Evergy Kansas Central's operating and maintenance expense decreased $59.0 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• a $17.3 million decrease in administrative labor and employee benefits expenses primarily due to lower employee headcount in 2023;
• a $14.9 million decrease in plant operating and maintenance expense at fossil-fuel generating units resulting principally from a major outage at JEC Unit 3 in 2023;
• a $14.0 million decrease in various transmission and distribution operating and maintenance expenses primarily due to lower labor costs driven by an increase in labor capitalization and lower employee headcount, partially offset by a $3.6 million increase in vegetation management costs; and
• a $2.9 million decrease in plant operating and maintenance expense at Wolf Creek primarily due to lower refueling outage amortization in 2023; partially offset by
• a $4.5 million increase in costs billed for common use assets in 2023 from Evergy Metro related to facilities and software assets.

Evergy Kansas Central Depreciation and Amortization

Evergy Kansas Central's depreciation and amortization expense increased $30.9 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by capital additions.

Evergy Kansas Central Other Expense, Net

Evergy Kansas Central's other expense, net decreased $28.0 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• a $21.9 million decrease due to recording higher COLI benefits in 2023; and
• a $7.4 million decrease due to net unrealized losses becoming net unrealized gains in Evergy Kansas Central's rabbi trust.

Evergy Kansas Central Interest Expense

Evergy Kansas Central's interest expense increased $32.8 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• a $25.7 million increase in interest expense on short-term borrowings primarily due to higher short-term debt balances and weighted-average interest rates in 2023; and
• an $18.2 million increase due to the issuance of $400.0 million of 5.70% FMBs in March 2023; partially offset by
• a $15.4 million decrease due to higher debt AFUDC primarily due to higher short-term debt balances and higher weighted-average interest rates in 2023.

Evergy Kansas Central Income Tax Expense

Evergy Kansas Central's income tax expense decreased $18.2 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• a $12.9 million decrease primarily due to higher wind and other income tax credits in 2023 principally driven by the acquisition of the Persimmon Creek wind farm;
• an $11.6 million decrease due to lower pre-tax income in 2023; and
• a $4.4 million decrease primarily due to higher COLI proceeds in 2023; partially offset by
• a $10.8 million increase primarily due to lower amortization of excess deferred income taxes authorized by FERC in December 2022.

EVERGY METRO, INC.

MANAGEMENT'S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The below results of operations and related discussion for Evergy Metro is presented in a reduced disclosure format in accordance with General Instruction (I)(2)(a) to Form 10-K.

The following table summarizes Evergy Metro's comparative results of operations.

60

Evergy Metro Gross Margin (GAAP) and Utility Gross Margin (non-GAAP)

The following table summarizes Evergy Metro's gross margin (GAAP) and MWhs sold and reconciles Evergy Metro's gross margin (GAAP) to Evergy Metro's utility gross margin (non-GAAP). See "Executive Summary - Non-GAAP Measures" for additional information regarding gross margin (GAAP) and utility gross margin (non-GAAP).

Evergy Metro's gross margin (GAAP) decreased $59.3 million in 2023, compared to 2022, and Evergy Metro's utility gross margin (non-GAAP) increased $18.2 million in 2023, compared to 2022, both measures were driven by:

• a $27.8 million increase due to recording an estimated $16.7 million refund obligation under Evergy Metro's ERSP in 2022 and an $11.1 million reduction to the estimated refund obligation which was ordered and recorded in 2023. See Note 4 of the consolidated financial statements for additional information; and
• a $22.2 million increase from new Evergy Metro retail rates effective in January 2023; partially offset by
• a $31.8 million decrease primarily due to unfavorable weather (cooling degree days decreased by 10% and heating degree days decreased by 13%); partially offset by higher retail sales driven by higher weather-normalized residential and commercial demand.

Additionally, the decrease in Evergy Metro's gross margin (GAAP) was also driven by:

• a $78.8 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense as described further below; partially offset by
• a $4.1 million decrease in operating and maintenance expenses which are determined to be directly attributable to revenue producing activities primarily driven by a $3.2 million decrease in plant operating and maintenance expense at Wolf Creek as further described below.

Evergy Metro Operating and Maintenance

Evergy Metro's operating and maintenance expense decreased $50.3 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• an $18.8 million decrease in various administrative and general operating and maintenance expenses primarily driven by lower regulatory amortizations as a result of Evergy Metro's 2022 rate case;
• a $10.5 million decrease in administrative labor and employee benefits expenses primarily due to lower employee headcount in 2023;
• a $9.8 million decrease due to higher costs billed primarily to Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Missouri West for common use assets related to facilities and software assets; and
• a $3.2 million decrease in plant operating and maintenance expense at Wolf Creek primarily due to lower refueling outage amortizations in 2023; partially offset by
• $5.8 million of costs incurred from storms that occurred in July 2023.

Evergy Metro Depreciation Expense

Evergy Metro's depreciation and amortization expense increased $78.8 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• a $46.7 million increase primarily due to a change in depreciation rates and the rebasing of PISA depreciation deferrals as a result of Evergy Metro's 2022 rate case effective in January 2023; and
• a $32.1 million increase primarily due to capital additions.

Evergy Metro Interest Expense

Evergy Metro's interest expense increased $25.1 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by an $18.7 million increase in interest expense on short-term borrowings primarily due to higher short-term debt balances and higher weighted-average interest rates in 2023.

Evergy Metro Income Tax Expense

Evergy Metro's income tax expense decreased $11.1 million in 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by:

• a $7.6 million decrease due to lower pre-tax income in 2023; and
• a $6.4 million decrease primarily due to higher amortization of excess deferred income taxes authorized by Evergy Metro's 2022 rate case.

In the ordinary course of business, Evergy faces risks that are either non-financial or non-quantifiable. Such risks principally include business, legal, operational and credit risks and are not represented in the following analysis. See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors and Part II, Item 7, MD&A for further discussion of risk factors.

The Evergy Companies are exposed to market risks associated with commodity price and supply, interest rates and security prices. Commodity price risk is the potential adverse price impact related to the purchase or sale of electricity and energy-related products, including natural gas and coal. Credit risk is the potential adverse financial impact resulting from non-performance by a counterparty of its contractual obligations. Interest rate risk is the potential adverse financial impact related to changes in interest rates. In addition, Evergy's investments in trusts to fund nuclear plant decommissioning and non-qualified retirement benefits give rise to security price risk.

Management has established risk management policies and strategies to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of the markets may have on Evergy's operating results. During the ordinary course of business, the Evergy Companies' hedging strategies are reviewed to determine the hedging approach deemed appropriate based upon the circumstances of each situation. Though management believes its risk management practices are effective, it is not possible to identify and eliminate all risk. Evergy could experience losses, which could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial position, due to many factors, including unexpectedly large or rapid movements or disruptions in the energy markets, regulatory-driven market rule changes and/or bankruptcy or non-performance of customers or counterparties, and/or failure of underlying transactions that have been hedged to materialize.

Hedging Strategies

From time to time, Evergy utilizes derivative instruments to execute risk management and hedging strategies. Derivative instruments, such as futures, forward contracts, swaps or options, derive their value from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. These derivative instruments include negotiated contracts, which are referred to as over-the-counter derivatives, and instruments listed and traded on an exchange.

Commodity Price Risk

The Evergy Companies engage in the wholesale and retail sale of electricity as part of their regulated electric operations in addition to non-regulated energy marketing activities. These activities expose the Evergy Companies to risks associated with the price of electricity and other energy-related products. Exposure to these risks is affected by a number of factors including the quantity and availability of fuel used for generation and the quantity of electricity customers consume, as well as the wholesale market prices received by the Evergy Companies' generation resources and the wholesale market prices paid to procure power to serve customer load or satisfy regulatory or contractual obligations. Customers' electricity usage could also vary from year to year based on the weather or other factors. Quantities of fossil fuel used for generation vary from year to year based on the availability, price and deliverability of a given fuel type as well as planned and unplanned outages at facilities that use fossil fuels. Evergy's exposure to fluctuations in these factors is limited by the cost-based regulation of its regulated operations in Kansas and Missouri as these operations are typically allowed to recover substantially all of these costs through fuel recovery mechanisms. While there may be a delay in timing between when these costs are incurred and when they are recovered through rates, changes from year to year generally do not have a material impact on operating results. The majority of derivative instruments used to manage Evergy's commodity price exposure are either not designated as hedges or do not qualify for hedge accounting. Mark-to-market changes for these instruments entered into by regulated businesses are reflected as regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities on Evergy's consolidated balance sheets. Derivative instruments entered into for non-regulated energy marketing activities are marked-to-market each period, with changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments reflected in earnings. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for more information.

Value at Risk (VaR) Associated with Energy Marketing Activities

Management uses a risk measurement model, which calculates VaR to measure Evergy's commodity price risk associated with its trading portfolio related to non-regulated energy marketing activities. The VaR is calculated using historical 30 day exponentially weighted volatilities and correlations and assumes a 95% confidence level and a one-day holding period. Based on this VaR analysis, as of December 31, 2023, a near term typical change in commodity prices is not expected to materially impact net income, cash flows or financial position.

The following table shows the end, high, average and low market risk associated with its trading portfolio related to non-regulated energy marketing activities as measured by VaR for the periods indicated. The information includes non-regulated financial and physical transactions that are not considered derivatives under U.S. GAAP but economically offset derivatives also included in the VaR model.

VaR Model Trading Portfolio

Management back-tests VaR results against performance due to actual price movements. Based on the assumed 95% confidence interval, the performance due to actual price movements would be expected to exceed the VaR at least once every 20 trading days.

Interest Rate Risk

Evergy manages interest rate risk and short- and long-term liquidity by limiting its exposure to variable interest rate debt and debt-like financial instruments to a percentage of total debt, diversifying maturity dates and, from time to time, entering into interest rate hedging transactions. As of December 31, 2023, 11.6% of Evergy's total debt (including short-term borrowings consisting of short-term debt in excess of utility construction work in progress balances that is not eligible for capitalization as AFUDC and borrowings under Evergy's receivable sale facilities) were exposed to interest rate risk. Evergy computes and presents information regarding the sensitivity to changes in interest rates for variable rate debt, short-term borrowings and current maturities of fixed rate debt by assuming a 100-basis-point change in the current interest rates applicable to such debt over the remaining time the debt is outstanding.

As of December 31, 2023, Evergy had $1,533.0 million of short-term borrowings, variable rate debt and current maturities of fixed rate debt exposed to variable interest rate sensitivity. A 100-basis-point change in interest rates applicable to this debt would impact Evergy's income before income taxes on an annualized basis by approximately $9.7 million, net of AFUDC borrowed funds which represents the allowed cost of capital used to finance utility construction activity and is a reduction of interest expense.

Credit Risk

Evergy is exposed to counterparty credit risk largely in the form of accounts receivable from its retail and wholesale electric customers and through executory contracts with market risk exposure. The credit risk associated with accounts receivable from retail and wholesale customers is largely mitigated by Evergy's large number of individual customers spread across diverse customer classes and the ability to recover bad debt expense in customer rates. The Evergy Companies maintain credit policies and employ credit risk control mechanisms, such as letters of credit, when necessary to minimize their overall credit risk and monitor exposure. Credit risk of the Evergy Companies' derivative instruments relates to the potential adverse financial impact resulting from non-performance by a counterparty of its contractual obligations. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for more information on potential loss on counterparty exposure for derivative instruments as of December 31, 2023.

Investment Risk

Evergy maintains trust funds, as required by the NRC, to fund its 94% share of decommissioning the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant and also maintains trusts to fund pension benefits as well as certain non-qualified retirement benefits. As of December 31, 2023, these funds were primarily invested in a diversified mix of equity and debt securities and reflected at fair value on Evergy's balance sheet. The equity securities in the trusts are exposed to price fluctuations in equity markets and the value of debt securities are exposed to changes in interest rates and other market factors.

As nuclear decommissioning costs are currently recovered in customer rates, Evergy defers both realized and unrealized gains and losses for these securities as an offset to its regulatory liability for decommissioning Wolf Creek and as such, fluctuations in the value of these securities do not impact earnings. A significant decline in the value of pension or non-qualified retirement assets could require Evergy to increase funding of its pension plans in future periods, which could adversely affect cash flows in those periods. In addition, a decline in the fair value of these plan assets, in the absence of additional cash contributions to the plans by Evergy, could increase the amount of pension cost required to be recorded in future periods by Evergy.

In addition to Evergy's investments in debt and equity securities in its nuclear decommissioning and pension trusts, Evergy also makes limited equity investments in early-stage energy solution companies. These limited equity investments are often in privately-owned companies that do not have reasonably determinable fair values. However, from time to time, these investments could have changes in fair value as a result of acquisitions, mergers, initial public offerings, or observable market transactions for similar investments. Evergy typically seeks to liquidate its position in these companies as soon as practicable following the occurrence of an exit event such as an acquisition or initial public offering (including after the expiration of any related lock-up provisions), which serves to largely mitigate any ongoing market risk related to the investments.

EVERGY

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Evergy carried out an evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). This evaluation was conducted under the supervision, and with the participation, of Evergy's management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and Evergy's disclosure committee. Based upon this evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Evergy have concluded as of the end of the period covered by this report that the disclosure controls and procedures of Evergy were effective at a reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in Evergy's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarterly period ended December 31, 2023, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) for Evergy. Under the supervision and with the participation of Evergy’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, management evaluated the effectiveness of Evergy’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. Management used for this evaluation the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, Evergy’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on the criteria set forth in the COSO framework. Deloitte & Touche LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K, has issued its attestation report on Evergy’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included below.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Evergy, Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Evergy, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, of the Company and our report dated February 28, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedules.

Basis for Opinion

The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri

February 28, 2024

EVERGY KANSAS CENTRAL

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Evergy Kansas Central carried out an evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). This evaluation was conducted under the supervision, and with the participation, of Evergy Kansas Central's management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and Evergy Kansas Central's disclosure committee. Based upon this evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Evergy Kansas Central have concluded as of the end of the period covered by this report that the disclosure controls and procedures of Evergy Kansas Central were effective at a reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in Evergy Kansas Central's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarterly period ended December 31, 2023, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) for Evergy Kansas Central. Under the supervision and with the participation of Evergy Kansas Central’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, management evaluated the effectiveness of Evergy Kansas Central’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. Management used for this evaluation the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO of the Treadway Commission.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, Evergy Kansas Central’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on the criteria set forth in the COSO framework.

EVERGY METRO

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Evergy Metro carried out an evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). This evaluation was conducted under the supervision, and with the participation, of Evergy Metro's management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and Evergy Metro's disclosure committee. Based upon this evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Evergy Metro have concluded as of the end of the period covered by this report that the disclosure controls and procedures of Evergy Metro were effective at a reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in Evergy Metro's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarterly period ended December 31, 2023, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) for Evergy Metro. Under the supervision and with the participation of Evergy Metro’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, management evaluated the effectiveness of Evergy Metro’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. Management used for this evaluation the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO of the Treadway Commission.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, Evergy Metro’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on the criteria set forth in the COSO framework.