Ameren Missouri has filed a 20-year plan that the utility says supports cleaner energy in the state, including major expansions of wind and solar power.
Every three years, the utility files its Integrated Resource Plan with the Missouri Public Service Commission. The plan examines electric customers' projected long-term energy needs and describes Ameren Missouri's preferred approach to meeting those needs. The utility, a subsidiary of Ameren Corp., says this latest plan proposes to transition its generation fleet to a cleaner and more fuel-diverse portfolio over the next two decades as older energy centers reach the end of their useful lives.
Under the proposed plan, Ameren Missouri would add nearly 500 MW of renewable power generation, including 400 MW of wind power, 45 MW of solar, 28 MW of hydroelectric and 5 MW of landfill gas. Together with other planned changes to its generation resources, the utility says this would allow the utility to achieve a 30% reduction in carbon-dioxide emissions by 2035, based on 2005 levels.
The plan also calls for continuing to offer energy efficiency programs, retiring approximately one-third (about 1.8 GW) of Ameren Missouri's current coal-fired generating capacity, continuing to rely on existing nuclear generation, and adding 600 MW of combined-cycle natural gas generation.
‘We are committed to accomplishing this transition to cleaner energy in a way that is cost-effective and environmentally responsible while maintaining the reliability our customers expect,’ says Michael Moehn, chairman, president and CEO of Ameren Missouri.
Ameren Missouri adds that its plan includes a diverse mix of energy resources in order to ensure customers get dependable power while keeping rates reasonably priced.
‘Ameren Missouri residential rates are more than 20 percent below the national average, 16 percent below the average of Midwest states and the lowest of any investor-owned utility in the state of Missouri – and it's important for us to maintain rates that are reasonably priced,’ says Moehn.