Missouri approves Ameren solar and battery projects

Missouri regulators approved five Ameren energy projects on Wednesday. The utility plans three battery-storage sites totaling 545 megawatts and two solar sites totaling 400 megawatts. Ameren says the batteries can respond quickly when electricity demand rises. It targets service in 2028 and 2029.

Solar panels make power when sunlight is available; batteries can hold some electricity for later use. The approval moves these projects forward. It does not establish what they will ultimately cost customers or how well they will perform.

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Will Ameren deliver the projects on schedule and at a reasonable cost? Construction and future rate decisions still matter more than the approval alone.