Ameren Missouri filed an application with the Missouri Public Service Commission to advance its long-term energy generation investment plan. The proposal includes a first-of-its-kind project for the company: the construction of an 800-megawatt (MW) simple-cycle natural gas facility alongside Ameren Missouri’s first large-scale battery energy storage system at a single location.
The proposed Big Hollow Energy Center, to be located in Jefferson County, Missouri, is designed to meet growing energy demands while strengthening the reliability and resilience of the electric grid. In addition to supporting the regional power supply, the project is expected to generate significant economic benefits and job opportunities for the local community. Pending timely regulatory approval, the center is expected to begin operations in 2028. “This is the next step to deliver on our strategy to invest in energy infrastructure for our customers’ benefit and provide a balanced generation portfolio,” said Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. “As we transition our generation for the future, we’ll continue to serve our customers with the reliable energy they will expect while also preparing for anticipated increases in demand.”
The natural gas facility, modeled after Ameren Missouri’s Castle Bluff Energy Center, will be capable of delivering power during peak demand periods, such as extreme winter cold or high summer heat. It will also serve as a dependable backup when renewable energy sources are unavailable.
Co-located on the same site, Ameren Missouri plans to install a 400-MW lithium-ion battery storage system—the company’s first large-scale battery deployment. The battery array will store excess energy during periods of low demand and dispatch it instantly when needed, helping stabilize the grid and meet customer needs during peak usage. When fully charged, the system will be able to power thousands of homes for several hours.
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