Missouri-made upgrades power reliability in St. Charles and Warren counties

Project represents a $23 million investment in the region

A new substation under construction in Foristell, Missouri, will soon deliver more reliable power to the people of St. Charles and Warren counties. The substation and other accompanying upgrades are part of Ameren Missouri’s efforts to modernize the electric grid through its Smart Energy Plan.

Located on Veterans Memorial Parkway at Route T, the new substation will serve approximately 2,700 customers between Wright City and Wentzville. Additionally, the new substation increases the electricity capacity in the area, allowing for new growth and supporting projects like a new subdivision under development in Foristell.

Ameren team members and other stakeholders watch crews working to set equipment at the new substation in Foristell.

“We’re seeing tremendous load growth in this area of St. Charles and Warren counties,” said Ken Worland, director of Ameren Missouri’s northeast division. “This substation helps us meet the energy needs of today’s customer while also planning for future demand.”

The substation is also equipped with smart technology to help automatically detect outages and quickly reroute power. The project also includes upgrades to a nearby bulk substation and 10 miles of new wires and poles serving Wright City to the west and parts of Wentzville to the east. Some of the new poles are made of composite material, designed to better withstand high winds and other hazards, making the lines more resilient.

The project continues Ameren Missouri’s commitment to using in-state suppliers through the Smart Energy Plan. Avail Switchgear Systems of Fulton, Missouri, manufactured four switchgears installed at the site. WEG Transformers USA built the substation’s two new transformers at its facility in Washington, Missouri.

Overall, the project represents a $23 million investment in greater reliability for the region. Construction of the substation is expected to be completed in early 2024, and it is projected to be in service by the end of March.

The Smart Energy Plan was enabled by the Missouri Legislature's passage of Senate Bill 564 in 2018 and approved for extension and expansion by the General Assembly in 2022. Through the Smart Energy Plan, Ameren is working to upgrade and modernize the electrical grid, while also improving reliability throughout its service territory.