Tenaska Inc
14302 FNB Parkway , Omaha, Nebraska, United States

One of the largest private, independent energy companies in the United States, Tenaska is well regarded for its integrity and commitment to excellence. Customers, partners and investors work with Tenaska again and again because its employees give every project the highest priority and still conduct business like a young company with something to prove.  Whatever the test, Tenaska finds innovative solutions and draws on a full range of services, including development, acquisition, financing and operation and management of generating facilities.  The company’s strategically developed expertise has also made Tenaska a respected energy marketer. Our natural gas and power marketing affiliates get consistently high marks for customer service and are known for delivering results even amid the most challenging conditions.

From modest beginnings in 1987, Tenaska has forged a solid reputation as an industry leader, adept at responding to unique customer challenges and new market opportunities.  One of the largest private, independent energy companies in the United States, Tenaska is well regarded for its integrity and commitment to excellence. Customers, partners and investors work with Tenaska again and again because its employees give every project the highest priority and still conduct business like a young company with something to prove.  Whatever the test, Tenaska finds innovative solutions and draws on a full range of services, including development, acquisition, financing, and operation and management of generating facilities.  The company’s strategically developed expertise has also made Tenaska a respected energy marketer. Our natural gas and power marketing affiliates get consistently high marks for customer service and are known for delivering results even amid the most challenging conditions.  Tenaska not only meets the needs of its customers, partners and the communities it serves but strives to always add value and exceed expectations. The results – designed to meet exacting standards developed over decades of experience – inspire trust.

A Bold Entrepreneurial Vision

In 1987, Howard Hawks and Tom Hendricks, former InterNorth executives, with a few others became convinced that a small, private company could operate successfully in an evolving energy industry. They hired a few other energy veterans for the company that had been named Tenaska – a combination of Nebraska, Texas, tenacity and ten (on a scale of one to ten).  Determined and passionate, Tenaska’s early leaders were committed to basic principles that would form a core culture: stay small and private; hire the right people; take reasoned, manageable risks; insist on quality; and deal fairly and honestly with partners, customers and the public.

Our Commitment

For more than 30 years, Tenaska’s success has been built on a foundation of conservative business practices, strong ethical principles, professional expertise and responsible commitment to the environment, safety and the communities where it does business. Long-term relationships based on respect, value and trust are crucial components of the Tenaska business model, underlying its reputation as a leader in the energy industry.

The Vision Grows

Their goal was to build one or two power plants. The first was a 223-megawatt, natural gas-fueled cogeneration plant in Paris, Texas. The second was a cogeneration plant in Ferndale, Washington. They believed that cogeneration was a business in which a company with limited capital, but a lot of expertise, could obtain the financing needed to succeed. Both operated well and now have fully retired debt, having paid off loans in full without a missed payment.  Employing the synergy it developed in operating power plants, a Tenaska affiliate began marketing natural gas. Tenaska Marketing Ventures now manages, trades or sells approximately 10 percent of the total natural gas consumption of the United States and Canada. Similarly, Tenaska Power Services Co., an affiliate to market power and provide ancillary services in Texas, has grown to national scale. Tenaska has become a force in the energy industry.

Seizing Opportunities

Besides building plants, Tenaska soon engineered and operated them, pioneering efficient design and leading in industry safety. Looking into the energy future, Tenaska ventured into natural gas exploration and production, midstream services and a development strategy for renewable power. Skill in energy and marketing strategies extended to investments using wind and solar photovoltaic technology.

Prepared for the Future

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2017, Tenaska has become one of the largest independent energy companies in the U.S. Its strength lies in a sound financial policy, a broad and diverse base of energy businesses and an ability to generate needed resources. Because the company has remained a privately owned entity, decisions can be based more appropriately on long-term strategies. The company has been able to adapt and respond quickly to recessions, market instability and changing legislative and regulatory landscapes. After more than a quarter century, Tenaska’s core culture and philosophy remain unchanged. Tenaska has the right people, and the right values, to continue playing an expanding role in North America’s energy future.

Energy Marketing

Leaders in marketing natural gas and electric power, Tenaska’s marketing affiliates provide customers with the energy solutions and expertise to meet their physical marketing and asset and risk management needs.  Tenaska Marketing Ventures (TMV) is among the top five natural gas marketers in North America and is ranked first in natural gas pipeline capacity release trading. In 2018, it sold or managed over 10.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, or about 10 percent of total U.S./Canadian natural gas consumption. TMV is a trusted market leader with more than 25 years of industry experience delivering natural gas when and where it is needed.  Tenaska Power Services Co. (TPS) specializes in energy management, optimization and physical electric power marketing. TPS operates a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week trading floor, as well as a round-the-clock power plant operations desk.

Development & Acquisitions

The Strategic Development & Acquisitions (SDA) Group leverages Tenaska’s 30+ years of experience in energy development and expertise in acquisition and management of power generation assets to advance value-oriented projects. The SDA team has extensive background in power markets across the United States and with energy projects utilizing a variety of technologies and fuels.  The SDA Group brings the combined resources of Tenaska to bear when working with customers to meet their power generation needs. In addition to providing expertise in siting, transmission interconnection, permitting, financing and construction management, Tenaska can assist customers in fuel acquisition and transport, project operations and energy marketing.  For partners and investors, the SDA Group draws on a strong record in development, acquisitions and asset management to optimize the value of energy assets. Our in-house experts adapt project strategies to changing market, legislative and regulatory climates. These same synergies also benefit the SDA Group’s new energy innovation investment initiative.