Enbridge offers appealing long-term investment potential

Enbridge has been a valuable investment for many years. The Canadian energy company has paid dividends for over 70 years, increasing them for the last 30. It has earned investors a 12% annualized return over the past two decades. This means that a $25,000 investment has grown to over $241,000. Enbridge runs one of the largest energy infrastructures in North America. It transports 30% of all crude oil produced on the continent and handles 20% of the gas consumed in the U.S. The company also has a growing renewable energy business. Its pipeline and utility services provide stable cash flow, with most earnings coming from predictable contracts. Currently, the dividend yield is at 6.1%, making it an attractive investment option. The company has significant growth plans. It is working on CA$29 billion ($20.3 billion) worth of projects that will be completed by 2029. These include expanding pipelines and improving gas distribution. Enbridge believes it can support CA$9 billion to CA$10 billion in new projects each year, which could increase cash flow by 3% per year until 2026 and by about 5% after that. This growth could support future dividend increases. Overall, Enbridge's earnings and dividends could lead to a total annual return of around 11%. If someone invests $1,000 today and adds $250 each month, that could grow to over $1 million in 35 years. Although there are no guarantees, Enbridge's strong history of returns and growth makes it a promising long-term investment. Holding onto shares for a long time may potentially set investors up for life.