Powering progress – Construction underway at Castle Bluff Energy Center
New generation facility designed to bolster grid reliability
Construction is underway in St. Louis County as Ameren Missouri works to support grid reliability through the new Castle Bluff Energy Center. The 800 megawatt (MW), simple-cycle natural gas energy center will utilize four generating units to produce on-demand power. With steel already in the ground, construction crews are working to pour the first foundations at the site.
Crews work to set rebar for the foundation of the site's fuel oil tank.
"Customers across the state count on Ameren Missouri's reliable, affordable energy, and the Castle Bluff Energy Center will allow our company to continue to meet their needs in the future," said Tina Shannon, senior director of Government Relations for Ameren Missouri.
Built on the site of the Meramec Energy Center, the on-demand power plant is designed to ensure customers have access to reliable power on the coldest of winter nights and the hottest days of summer. With work underway, Ameren Missouri expects to have the site's first gas turbine unit delivered next summer. The Castle Bluff Energy Center is expected to begin serving customers by fall of 2027.
Construction is underway at the Castle Bluff Energy Center in St. Louis County.
"On-demand natural gas generation, like the Castle Bluff Energy Center, plays an important role in Ameren Missouri's ability to power the quality of life for its customers," said David Meiners, director of New Gas Generation for Ameren Missouri. "In addition to meeting the needs of customers during periods of extreme weather, these natural gas generation units also serve as a critical backup when renewables are not available."
Currently, Ameren Missouri maintains a fleet of 40 on-demand natural gas generation units throughout Missouri and Illinois. These units primarily run on natural gas, with some outfitted to use fuel oil. Together, these units can produce up to 2,750 MW of energy during peak summer electrical demand.
Click here to learn more about the Castle Bluff Energy Center.