How Ameren Missouri’s $16.2bn Smart Energy Plan aims to boost economic growth and reliability

Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation, has announced a major shift in its energy strategy, unveiling a comprehensive investment plan designed to support Missouri’s growing energy demands, enhance grid reliability, and attract new business investments. The company’s revised Preferred Resource Plan, part of its Integrated Resource Plan, is aimed at meeting 1.5 gigawatts of expected energy demand by 2032 while maintaining a balance between affordability, sustainability, and reliability.

This announcement follows a successful year in 2024, during which Ameren Missouri facilitated nearly two dozen economic development projects. With construction agreements already in place for high-energy-use customers, the company is laying the groundwork for Missouri’s continued economic expansion.

What Is Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan?

Ameren Missouri has also filed an updated Smart Energy Plan with the Missouri Public Service Commission, outlining a $16.2 billion, five-year investment strategy to modernize the state’s power grid. This initiative is focused on enhancing grid reliability, integrating cleaner energy sources, and ensuring Missouri remains a competitive destination for businesses.

According to Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri, customers rely on the company’s ability to provide consistent, reliable energy through a balanced mix of power generation resources and infrastructure improvements. He emphasized that these long-term investments will help ensure energy security and economic stability for years to come.

How Will Ameren Missouri Expand Its Energy Generation?

Ameren Missouri’s Preferred Resource Plan includes significant investments across multiple energy sources. The company plans to add 1,600 megawatts of natural gas generation by 2030, with a total expansion to 6,100 megawatts by 2045, ensuring a stable power supply. Renewable energy will also play a key role, with 2,700 megawatts of new wind and solar capacity by 2030, increasing to 4,200 megawatts by 2045. To enhance energy storage and reliability, the plan calls for 1,000 megawatts of battery storage capacity by 2030, with an expansion to 1,800 megawatts by 2045. Additionally, Ameren Missouri will invest in 1,500 megawatts of new nuclear energy generation by 2045, providing a steady and weather-resistant power source to meet long-term energy demands.

In support of its nuclear strategy, Ameren Missouri intends to seek an operating extension for the Callaway Energy Center beyond 2044. This move underscores the company’s commitment to nuclear energy as a low-carbon, reliable power source that can help stabilize Missouri’s energy grid.

The Integrated Resource Plan projects a total 1.8-gigawatt increase in energy capacity by 2030 and 2.3 gigawatts by 2035. These capacity expansions will require $5 billion in investments by 2030 and $7 billion by 2035, further solidifying Missouri’s energy infrastructure for future growth.

How Will the Smart Energy Plan Improve Grid Reliability?

Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan is centered around upgrading Missouri’s power grid to prevent outages, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen resilience against severe weather conditions. The company’s grid enhancements in 2024 alone prevented 8 million minutes of outages, demonstrating the impact of modernized power distribution systems.

To achieve greater reliability, Ameren Missouri is upgrading substations across Missouri to support growing energy demand and ensure stable power delivery. Transmission lines are being reinforced to improve grid flexibility, allowing power to be rerouted efficiently during outages. Advanced smart meters are being installed to provide real-time outage detection and allow customers to monitor their energy usage more effectively. In addition, smart switches are being deployed to significantly reduce power outage durations, cutting downtime from hours to minutes.

Tim Lafser, senior vice president of energy delivery at Ameren Missouri, stated that smart grid technology played a critical role in preventing outages for 50,000 customers during severe storms in 2024. He emphasized that these upgrades ensure customers receive reliable service with faster response times in case of disruptions.

What Impact Will This Investment Have on Missouri’s Economy?

Ameren Missouri’s extensive energy infrastructure improvements are expected to drive significant economic growth by attracting new business investments and ensuring that Missouri remains a top destination for industrial development. In 2024 alone, businesses announced $3.1 billion in capital investments within Ameren Missouri’s service territory, underscoring the region’s attractiveness for corporate expansion.

Through its Smart Energy Plan, Ameren Missouri has contributed $2 billion to Missouri-based suppliers and contractors, supporting 1,200 businesses across 60 counties. Birk emphasized that energy reliability is a key factor in attracting large-scale business investments, particularly in industries that require uninterrupted power for operations.

Why Does This Matter for Missouri’s Future?

Ameren Missouri’s expansion strategy and infrastructure investments reflect a long-term commitment to delivering reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy for both businesses and residents. With demand for electricity projected to rise, these investments will ensure that the state’s energy grid remains resilient while fostering economic growth and maintaining energy affordability.

By modernizing Missouri’s power infrastructure, the company is strengthening its ability to support high-energy industries, positioning the state as an attractive hub for business relocation and expansion. As Ameren Missouri continues to implement its Smart Energy Plan, customers can expect a more stable, efficient, and forward-looking energy system designed to meet the challenges of the future.