Ameren Missouri announces plan to expand wind and solar generation, reduce carbon emissions

Ameren Missouri recently announced a plan to significantly increase its solar and wind capacity and reduce its carbon emissions by 80 percent.

The Ameren Corporation subsidiary plans to add at least 700 megawatts (MW) of wind generation by 2020, an investment of approximately $1 billion. The company may add more depending on available technology, economic conditions and the possibility of renewable energy initiatives with large customers.

The company also plans to add 100 MW of solar generation during the next 10 years, 50 MW of which is expected to enter service by 2025.

“This is Ameren Missouri’s largest-ever commitment to clean, renewable energy,” Michael Moehn, president of Ameren Missouri, said. “We are committed to bringing our customers innovative solutions that are both cost-effective and environmentally responsible while maintaining the reliability our customers expect.”

The company also established a goal of reducing its carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050 from the 2005 level. It is aiming for a 35 percent reduction by 2030 and a 50 percent reduction by 2040 from the 2005 level. Ameren Missouri has achieved a 26 percent reduction in carbon emissions since 2016.

“We are the first investor-owned utility in the state, and among the first in the country, to announce a carbon emissions goal of this magnitude,” Moehn said.

Ameren recently filed its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which details how the company will meet projected electricity needs over the next 20 years, with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC).

To add these new resources to its portfolio, the company must seek certificates of convenience and necessity from the Missouri PSC for projects located in Missouri and obtain interconnection agreements in order to use transmission services of the appropriate Regional Transmission Authority.