Powering new growth and supporting economic development
Ameren Missouri's generation strategy designed to meet customers' needs and make Missouri attractive in the eyes of businesses and job creators
As advanced manufacturing and data centers consider locating throughout the Show-Me State, Ameren Missouri reminds its customers it has the generation resources needed to continue meeting their needs while positioning the state to be attractive in the eyes of businesses and job creators. The company recently announced a significant change to its generation strategy, accelerating several projects to support robust economic expansion, bolster reliability and create jobs throughout the state.
Projects like the new Castle Bluff Energy Center in St. Louis County aim to bolster reliability and deliver energy on the hottest summer days and coldest winter nights.
By accelerating its generation plans, Ameren Missouri is taking critical steps to ensure reliability at a time when more electricity is used than ever before. From rising power demands for new economic development projects to increased usage by customers, the company's updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is strengthening and securing the energy grid through a thoughtful mix of energy resources. Additionally, these changes are not only designed to make the state's electric grid resilient and reliable but are also intended to be the least-cost option for customers. The company is committed to keeping rates low by investing wisely and controlling costs.
"Abundant, reliable energy powers meaningful economic growth in Missouri," said Ajay Arora, senior vice president and chief development officer at Ameren Missouri. "Our focus has been on making significant investments in a balanced mix of generation resources to provide reliable, lowest-cost, cleaner energy for our customers. Through our generation plan, we are committed to making our state an attractive destination for new and expanding businesses."
The revision to Ameren Missouri's Preferred Resource Plan in its IRP is designed to serve up to 2.0 gigawatts (GW) of expected new energy demand by 2032. Through a balanced mix of generation resources, including nuclear, coal, natural gas and others, the company plans to continue delivering reliable and affordable energy for all its customers, while ensuring it can meet the needs of any business or job creator looking to relocate. This change comes as the Missouri Department of Economic Development has reported several large-scale, business-related projects in its planning pipeline requiring significant energy resources. According to the department, these projects represent the potential for thousands of new jobs and several billions of dollars of investment in the state.
"Companies who use a lot of energy evaluate many factors when they are looking to locate their business in a community," said Rob Dixon, senior director of economic and community development for Ameren Missouri. "At Ameren Missouri, we offer a balanced energy mix, a reliable energy delivery system and some of the lowest electric rates in the country. We want those companies to know Missouri is open for business, and we are ready to serve them. When businesses grow here, they create jobs and spur millions of dollars in investment in our local communities."
Ameren Missouri's updated IRP includes plans for several new natural gas power plants. Work is underway on the Castle Bluff Energy Center in south St. Louis County, an 800-MW, four-unit combustion turbine generator at the former site of the Meramec Energy Center. A second 800-MW facility, known as Big Hollow Energy Center, is planned for Jefferson County and will include an additional 400 MW of battery storage.
To learn more about Ameren Missouri's plan to reliably meet its customers' needs while attracting economic development to its service territory, please visit AmerenMissouri.com/Reliable.