Ameren Missouri announced this week it intends to acquire or build approximately 550 megawatts of solar energy including a project in Vandalia. Combined, the four projects announced are capable of producing enough energy to supply more than 95,000 average-sized residential homes. These projects are targeted to be ready to serve customers between next year and 2026.

“These projects support our ongoing generation transformation toward more clean energy while maintaining the reliability, resiliency and affordability our customers expect,” said Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. "In addition, we are taking advantage of new federal incentives that will help us provide renewable energy to our customers at a lower cost.”

The projects include a 50 megawatt renewable energy center near Vandalia that will be self developed by Ameren and targeted to be online by 2025. A spokesperson for Ameren told the Ledger construction is tentatively set for the end of 2024 and the project will be located about two miles south of town.

Other projects include: Bowling Green Renewable Energy Center, a 50-MW project based in Bowling Green, Missouri, to be self-developed by Ameren Missouri with a target in-service date of 2026; Split Rail Solar, a 300-MW project based in Warren County, Missouri, with a targeted in-service date of 2026 to be acquired by Ameren Missouri from Invenergy; and Cass County Solar, a 150-MW project based in Cass County, Illinois, with a targeted in-service date of 2024 to be acquired by Ameren Missouri from Savion.

To support the reliable transition, Ameren Missouri is siting new generation projects across Missouri and Illinois and is exploring future options in surrounding states, a statement from the company reads. The statement also says the four projects will create a total of 900 plus construction jobs.

“Bringing new jobs and opportunities to these communities is an incredibly rewarding part of our work,” Birk says. “It’s part of the multiplier effect projects of this scale will have. Solar facilities do so much more than create energy. We’ve seen in other communities across the state that by their presence alone, they create interest and open career paths into entirely new fields.” 

All four projects are pending while waiting for approval from the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC). An application has already been filed with the PSA and applications to intervene and participate in this case must be filed no later than July 12, with the Secretary of the Missouri Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102, or by using the Commission’s Electronic Filing and Information System (EFIS) at www.psc.mo.gov . Individual citizens wishing to comment should contact either the Office of the Public Counsel (Governor Office Building, 200 Madison Street, Suite 650, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-2230, telephone 1-866-922-2959, email opcservice@opc.mo.gov) or the Public Service Commission Staff (P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102, telephone 1-800-392-4211, email pscinfo@psc.mo.gov