Ameren Missouri plots 550 MW of solar energy additions through four projects
By 2026, Ameren Missouri hopes to acquire or build approximately 55 MW of solar energy through four new projects, meaning enough renewable energy to provide for more than 95,000 average residential homes.
It would be the largest-to-date solar investment by the Ameren Corporation subsidiary and greatly advance its overall long-term generation transformation plan. The company is also siting other generation projects across Missouri and Illinois while exploring future options in surrounding states.
“These projects support our ongoing generation transformation toward more clean energy while maintaining the reliability, resiliency, and affordability our customers expect,” said Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. “In addition, we are taking advantage of new federal incentives that will help us provide renewable energy to our customers at a lower cost.”
The four projects announced by Ameren Missouri this week included:
- Cass County Solar – a 150 MW acquisition from Savion, based in Cass County, Illinois, and slated to enter service next year
- Vandalia Renewable Energy Center – a 50 MW project to be built by Ameren Missouri itself and enter service in 2025, following construction in Vandalia, Missouri
- Split Rail Solar – a 300 MW acquisition from Invenergy, based in Warren County, Missouri, with an in-service target of 2026
- Bowling Green Renewable Energy Center – a 50 MW project Ameren Missouri hopes to develop as of 2026 in Bowling Green, Missouri
Each project adds to the 2,800 MW of renewable generation Ameren Missouri intends to roll out by 2030. Its net-zero carbon emissions goal is set for 2045.
“Continuing to diversify our generation portfolio – in this case increasing the amount of solar generation – will pay off, especially on those hot summer afternoons,” Ajay Arora, senior vice president and chief renewable development officer at Ameren Missouri, said.
