Finally, Ameren Missouri has been recently approved by the Missouri Public Service Commission. Now, they’ll be able to make progress on their ambitious Big Hollow Energy Centre project. This unique and cutting-edge hybrid facility will combine natural gas generation with utility-scale, battery based energy storage. The project is expected to increase electric dependability statewide when the line goes into service in 2028. The new facility will be built in Jefferson County. This is a huge victory for Missourians looking to see an upgrade of 21st century energy infrastructure.
The Big Hollow Energy Centre will feature a 800 megawatt (MW) simple-cycle natural gas plant. In addition, it will feature a large-scale 400 MW lithium-ion battery storage system. This combination energizes leading consumers across the economy. It powers hundreds of thousands of homes, businesses, and growing industries across Ameren Missouri’s service area. The project combines these two technologies to ensure reliable energy supply. This process is particularly important at times of high demand and in periods of extreme temperatures.
Enhancing Power Reliability
Ultimately, the Big Hollow Energy Centre’s focus would be on bolstering statewide power reliability. As extreme weather events become more common, the facility’s design focuses on maintaining a steady supply of electricity when it is needed most. Ajay Arora, senior vice-president and chief development officer at Ameren Missouri laid out why the project matters so much.
“Big Hollow adds flexibility and resilience to the energy system that serves customers across Missouri.” – Ajay Arora
By connecting the two worlds of natural gas and battery technology, Ameren Missouri expects to see a significant increase in long-term reliability. This novel approach empowers the utility to maximize their ability to respond to changing energy needs. It provides an important leverage to integrate more renewable energy sources into the grid.
Supporting Renewable Integration
The Big Hollow Energy Centre is part of Ameren Missouri’s larger plan to prioritize the development and implementation of renewable energy projects. This project is a further step in an ambitious plan. By 2030, we committed to having 1,000 MW of battery storage deployed and ramp that number up to 1,800 MW by 2042. This strategy highlights Ameren’s proactive approach to lead in renewable integration. Simultaneously, it ensures that dependable energy remains widely available throughout its service territory.
Using existing infrastructure for the new facility is anticipated to save customers costs and construction time. By building upon existing frameworks, Ameren will be able to increase the pace of their projects while reducing capital costs for their consumers.
Future Outlook
As Ameren Missouri gets ready to dive into this transformative project, its potential for the state’s energy landscape is tremendous. Big Hollow Energy Centre will increase reliability of wholesale power supply. In fact, it will be essential to achieving a more equitable and sustainable energy transition. After all, operations are scheduled to begin in only five years. Stakeholders can already see the promise of what an offset program could do for consumers and the environment.