If you live in Nevada, you’ve probably seen the NV Energy logo on your bill, your neighbor's solar panels, or those white service trucks humming through Las Vegas and Reno. It’s the kind of company that feels like it has always just been there, a permanent fixture of the Silver State’s landscape. But if you’ve ever stopped to wonder who actually signs the paychecks for those 2,500+ employees, the answer isn’t a local board of Nevadans or even the state government.
Honestly, the real owner of NV Energy is a name you definitely know, even if you don't realize he’s your landlord for the power grid.
The Big Reveal: Who Owns NV Energy?
The short answer is Warren Buffett.
Well, more specifically, NV Energy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE). If that name sounds familiar, it's because it is the massive energy arm of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., the Omaha-based conglomerate run by Buffett.
It’s a bit of a nesting doll situation. NV Energy isn't a standalone public company anymore. It hasn't been since 2013. That was the year Buffett’s team decided to drop roughly $10 billion to scoop it up. Back then, it was one of the biggest bets on the "boring" but stable world of regulated utilities.
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How the Deal Went Down
Before 2013, you could actually buy shares of NV Energy on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker NVE. It was a public company formed by the merger of Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Resources back in 1999.
Then came Greg Abel—who is basically Buffett’s hand-picked successor—and the MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (which later rebranded to Berkshire Hathaway Energy). They saw a growing state with a lot of sun and a lot of air conditioning needs. They made an offer of $23.75 per share in cash. The board said yes. The regulators said yes. And just like that, Nevada’s biggest utility became part of a global empire.
Is NV Energy Still a "Nevada Company"?
Buffett and his team are famous for one specific thing: they buy companies and then they mostly leave them alone.
You’ll still find the headquarters on West Sahara Avenue in Las Vegas. The leadership team, currently led by President and CEO Brandon Barkhuff, is on the ground in the state. Barkhuff, a Las Vegas native who took over in May 2025 after Doug Cannon’s departure, manages the day-to-day chaos of keeping the lights on for 2.4 million people.
But make no mistake—the financial muscle and the long-term strategy come from Des Moines, Iowa (where BHE is based) and Omaha.
The BHE Family Tree
NV Energy isn't the only child in this family. Berkshire Hathaway Energy is a beast. They own:
- PacifiCorp: Serving a massive chunk of the West (Oregon, Washington, California, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming).
- MidAmerican Energy: Covering Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota, and Nebraska.
- Northern Powergrid: Distributing power in the Northeast of England.
- BHE GT&S: Managing thousands of miles of natural gas pipelines.
Basically, if you’re turning on a light switch in the Western U.S., there’s a statistically high chance Warren Buffett is involved in some capacity.
What This Ownership Means for Your Bill
Here is where it gets kinda complicated. People often think that because a billionaire owns the company, the rates should be lower—or, conversely, that he’s just "extracting profit."
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In reality, NV Energy is a regulated monopoly.
This is a huge point people miss. Even though Berkshire Hathaway owns NV Energy, they can't just wake up and decide to double your rates to buy more See's Candies. Every single penny they charge has to be approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN).
The 2026 Shift
Right now, in early 2026, we are seeing the biggest shift in NV Energy’s billing structure in a decade. This isn't necessarily a "Buffett move," but it is a "modern utility move." Starting in April 2026, Southern Nevada customers are seeing a new "demand charge" on their bills.
It’s a bit controversial.
The idea is to charge based on your peak 15-minute usage window each day. NV Energy says it’s more "fair" and reflects the actual cost of keeping the grid ready for those moments when everyone turns on their AC at once. Consumer advocates, though? They’re worried it’s just a way to squeeze more money out of people who can’t afford to micromanage their thermostat.
The Solar Conflict
One of the weirdest things about who owns NV Energy is the friction over solar power. Nevada is a solar goldmine. Yet, NV Energy has historically been at odds with rooftop solar advocates.
Why? Because when you generate your own power, you're buying less from the grid that Berkshire Hathaway spent billions to acquire.
We’ve seen a lot of back-and-forth on "net metering" (how much they pay you for the power you send back to them). The 2025-2026 regulatory rulings have moved toward 15-minute netting, which solar fans say makes panels less of a "good deal" for homeowners. It’s a classic tug-of-war between a massive corporate owner protecting an investment and a changing world of green energy.
The Bottom Line
NV Energy is a Nevada company in name and location, but it is a Berkshire Hathaway company in spirit and profit. It is part of one of the largest private energy portfolios in the world.
While the faces in the commercials are local, the ultimate accountability is to the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway. For the average customer, this means the company has incredibly deep pockets for big projects—like the Greenlink Nevada transmission lines—but it also means they are part of a corporate machine that prioritizes stable, long-term returns.
Actionable Insights for Nevada Ratepayers
- Check the April 2026 Change: If you are in Southern Nevada, look at your bill for the new "demand charge." If you can spread out your appliance use (don't run the dryer, dishwasher, and AC all at once), you might save a few bucks.
- Monitor the Leadership: With Brandon Barkhuff being relatively new in the CEO chair (since 2025), keep an eye on his public statements regarding renewable energy. His background is legal and compliance, which often signals a focus on navigating the regulatory landscape rather than radical shifts in tech.
- Understand the "Monopoly" Part: Since you can't just switch power companies in Nevada, your "vote" on how NV Energy is run happens at the PUCN meetings. If you hate the rates, the regulators are the ones to talk to, not just the company’s customer service line.
- Solar ROI: If you're considering rooftop solar in 2026, make sure your installer is using the current 15-minute netting math. The "payback period" on solar has changed because of recent regulatory wins by NV Energy's ownership.