Ameren Missouri's Osage Energy Center to benefit from reliability upgrades
New turbines to improve reliability at Lake of the Ozarks' power plant
Ameren Missouri announces it is nearing completion of important upgrades designed to enhance efficiency and reliability at Lake of the Ozarks' Osage Energy Center. The company is replacing the plant's last two original turbine runners with new, more efficient equipment. At 94 years old, the original 1931 turbines were well past their designed lifespan of 50 years.
The new turbines weigh approximately 50 tons and are being set in place using specialized cranes.
“These upgrades will significantly improve safety and reliability by reducing the need for maintenance compared to the original turbines,” said Brad Todd, director of hydro operations for Ameren Missouri. “The new turbines are also designed to be more efficient at low flows, meaning they can generate more power with the same amount of water.”
Completed in 1931, the Osage Energy Center at the Lake of the Ozarks is one of three hydroelectric plants within Ameren's generation fleet. During a typical year, the Osage Energy Center produces more than 500 million kilowatt hours of electricity — enough to supply the needs of more than 40,000 households.
In addition to enhancing efficiency and reliability, the new turbines provide more consistent control of dissolved gases and oxygen levels, benefiting the Osage River ecosystem downstream of Bagnell Dam. These upgrades do not increase the generating capacity of the facility, which is approximately 235 megawatts.
The turbine replacement project began in the fall of 2024, and both new units are expected to be in service by the end of 2025. The project is part of Ameren Missouri's Smart Energy Plan, the company's long-term efforts to modernize the electric grid – making it more resilient and reliable. To learn more about Ameren Missouri's operations at Lake of the Ozarks, including reports on the latest lake levels, please visit ameren.com/missouri/residential/lake-of-the-ozarks.