Missouri gas power plant project, featuring a 400-MW battery storage system, being spearheaded by Ameren
Ameren Missouri, a leading energy provider in the Midwest, has unveiled plans for the Big Hollow Energy Center, a groundbreaking hybrid facility that will combine an 800-MW simple-cycle natural gas plant with a 400-MW lithium-ion battery storage facility in Jefferson County, Missouri. This project is part of a broader strategy to ensure reliable, flexible, and resilient energy supply for the region during periods of severe weather and high demand.
The Big Hollow Energy Center is designed to meet increased energy demands and ensure grid resiliency, particularly as renewable generation fluctuates. Ajay Arora, senior vice president and chief development officer at Ameren Missouri, emphasized the importance of having a balanced mix of generation technologies and strategically locating them across the region.
The gas plant and battery storage will operate independently, with the gas plant providing dependable backup power during extreme temperatures and periods when renewable energy generation is low. The battery system will store excess energy and dispatch it rapidly to meet peak demand, enhancing grid stability.
Ameren's Missouri utility subsidiary aims to have 1 GW of battery storage online by 2030 and 1.8 GW by 2042, making the battery storage component a key part of the company's long-term strategy. In addition to storage, Ameren plans to construct 1.6 GW of gas generation resources by 2030.
The project will leverage existing energy infrastructure on land Ameren already owns to reduce construction time and cost. The Big Hollow project is expected to be operational by 2028, subject to timely regulatory approval. Mark Birk, President and Chairman of Ameren Missouri, stated that this project is the next step to deliver on their strategy to invest in energy infrastructure for customers' benefit.
The Big Hollow Energy Center is expected to create jobs, support local school districts, and provide long-term economic benefits for Jefferson County, particularly following the planned closure of the Rush Island Energy Center in late 2024. This initiative is a landmark for Ameren Missouri, marking its first large-scale battery installation and reinforcing its commitment to both reliability and advancing energy storage technology within its portfolio.
[1] Ameren Missouri. (2022). Big Hollow Energy Center. Retrieved from https://www.ameren.com/missouri/energy-projects/big-hollow-energy-center
[2] St. Louis Post-Dispatch. (2022). Ameren Missouri to build $1.5 billion Big Hollow Energy Center in Jefferson County. Retrieved from https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ameren-missouri-to-build-15-billion-big-hollow-energy-center-in-jefferson-county/article_e1d364f6-69b1-53a7-a964-9a10eb801420.html
[3] Missouri Public Service Commission. (2022). Ameren Missouri's Updated Smart Energy Plan. Retrieved from https://psc.mo.gov/docket/2021-0595
- Ameren Missouri's long-term strategy includes a significant investment in renewable energy, as they aim to have 1 GW of battery storage online by 2030 and 1.8 GW by 2042.
- The Big Hollow Energy Center, a hybrid facility combining a natural gas plant with a lithium-ion battery storage system, will not only meet increased energy demands but also contribute to the renewable energy industry by enhancing grid stability during periods of low renewable energy generation.
- The finance sector plays a crucial role in the Big Hollow Energy Center's success, as the project is expected to cost approximately $1.5 billion and requires timely regulatory approval for its operation by 2028.
