Ameren Missouri updates 20-year energy plan, calling for investment in new on-demand sources

Ameren Missouri unveiled an updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) this week, laying out details of a 20-year path to reliability, affordability and resilience for the energy grid, on the path to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. 

That goal will be coupled with meeting customers’ rising energy needs, even during extreme weather events, and as such, includes a diverse array of investments in on-demand energy sources for the company. Ameren Missouri’s IRP reflects accelerated planned investments in renewable and energy storage resources to take advantage of tax incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act that reduce costs to customers while also providing greater energy diversity and availability.

“Thoughtfully integrating a new, diverse mix of generation sources while maintaining the availability of our existing energy centers through retirement is essential for a reliable, resilient and affordable clean energy future,” Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri, said. “By making smart investments in an environmentally responsible way, we’re strengthening the energy grid without compromising on affordability.”

Among the plan’s highlights are accelerating Ameren Missouri’s planned renewable energy additions by four years. The company plans to add 4,700 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy by 2036, representing a total potential investment of approximately $9.5 billion. The company also wants to create an 800 MW, $800 million, on-demand, natural gas simple-cycle energy center by 2027 for backup power at times of peak demand. A 1,200 MW combined-cycle energy center would be pushed back to 2033, but 800 MW of battery storage would be advanced and should be live by 2035. By 2040, Ameren Missouri wants 1,200 MW of clean, on-demand energy ready for service and another 1,200 MW by 2043. 

“Our strategic investments are timed to keep rates as low as possible for our customers while making efficient system upgrades to provide clean, reliable and affordable energy for the long-term,” said Ajay Arora, senior vice president and chief renewable development officer at Ameren Missouri.