Built in Missouri, by Missourians, for Ameren Missouri customers

Local company makes equipment for Smart Energy Plan projects

Ameren Missouri has taken delivery of a new state-of-the-art transformer for the Madison Substation, in Washington, Missouri. The transformer was made just down the street from the installation site at WEG Transformers USA. The 45-ton transformer made the three-mile trek through town on a multi-wheeled transporter before arriving at the site near Sixth Street and Washington Avenue.

"Keeping our partners local helps the economy grow and at the same time is modernizing Missouri's energy grid," said Gary Marquart, supervising engineer, Ameren Missouri. "Everyone benefits!"

The $6.5 million project will provide increased reliability and capacity to Washington's growing eastside community and Mercy Hospital. The new substation will be equipped with smart technology equipment that more rapidly detects and isolates outages, speeding power restoration if a problem occurs. These upgrades will also lower operating costs and save customers money. More than 3,600 customers will benefit from these upgrades.

This project is part of Ameren Missouri's Smart Energy Plan, which was enabled with the Missouri Legislature's passage of SB 564 in 2018. The grid modernization program is designed to enhance reliability and provide a smarter, more reliable energy infrastructure across the state.  

As part of the Smart Energy Plan, crews are also upgrading the surrounding overhead power lines, including adding automated sensors and automated smart technology equipment, to provide additional capacity for this growing community. Construction started May 15, 2020 and includes more than three miles of line and over 90 new, taller and stronger poles. The project will be in-service at the end of 2020. 

WEG's business is growing as a result of the Smart Energy Plan and other energy grid projects around the state, country, and world. WEG recently announced the expansion of the company in Washington into a third facility, which will grow its local employment to more than 500 workers by early 2021.

Construction of one of these large transformers takes an estimated four to six weeks. A second transformer for the Ameren Missouri substation is currently underway at WEG and is anticipated to be delivered in October

Learn more about this project by watching this video, which features comments from state legislators, local-elected and business leaders, representatives from WEG Transformers USA and Ameren Missouri.

Learn more about Ameren Missouri's Smart Energy Plan at Smart Energy Plan.