Ameren Missouri is a subsidiary owned by Ameren Corp. A group of top Missouri organizations has joined Ameren Missouri to bring more clean energy to the state. These organizations have committed to clean electricity by choosing to buy renewable energy up to 100 percent of their total energy usage. To meet these organizations’ renewable energy goals, Ameren Missouri created the Renewable Solutions program. Ameren Missouri has acquired a 150-MW solar facility to support the program.
“We know that reaching our goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 will take innovative solutions and partnerships,” says Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. “This creative partnership with local businesses and organizations is just one of the ways that we’re working to increase the amount of clean energy on the grid while still maintaining the affordability and reliability our customers expect.”
Invenergy, a developer and owner of sustainable energy solutions, is developing the solar facility in White County, Ill. Ameren Missouri announced previously that it would acquire the facility. It will produce enough energy to power approximately 27,500 homes annually. The acquisition is subject of regulatory approvals and customary closure conditions. Customers could start receiving energy as soon as 2024.
“As we advance our plans to grow renewable energy generation, locating projects in Missouri and surrounding states is necessary to maintain the reliability our customers expect and the resiliency necessary for the grid,” Birk continues.
The 10 organizations that have committed to the growth of renewable energy in the region as part of the Renewable Solutions program are Bi-State Development, bioMérieux, Emerson, General Motors, Mastercard, SSM Health and Walmart.
“It’s clear many business customers share our vision of a sustainable energy future and are seeking to power their operations with clean energy,” states Patrick Smith, vice president of economic, community and business development at Ameren Missouri. “We created the Renewable Solutions program as an easy way for these customers to take an active role in reducing carbon emissions across the region.”
Subscribers will be able to receive Renewable Energy Credits for their participation. This is a tangible way to reduce their emissions. They will also enjoy predictable pricing and the program will save them the capital investment required to build solar facilities.
The Renewable Solutions program could be expanded in the future to offer additional options for industrial, commercial and government customers.
Small businesses and residential customers looking to increase their own renewable energy usage have several options, including Ameren Missouri’s Community Solar program. Both programs will help Ameren reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 and the company’s strong interim goals of a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and an 85% reduction by 2040, from 2005 levels. These goals are included in Ameren Missouri’s comprehensive integrated resource plan to safeguard long-term energy reliability and resiliency while also accelerating the company’s planned additions of clean wind and solar generation by 2030.