Ameren Missouri has submitted a proposal to the Missouri Public Service Commission to build  an 800MW simple-cycle natural gas energy centre alongside its inaugural large-scale battery storage system (BESS).

The project, called the Big Hollow Energy Center, will be built in Jefferson County. It is designed to boost energy supply and ensure grid resilience.

Subject to regulatory consent, the facility aims to be operational by 2028, offering dependable backup power during extreme weather conditions or when renewable sources are insufficient.

Ameren Missouri chairman and president Mark Birk stated: "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.

"As we transition our generation for the future, we'll continue to serve our customers with the reliable energy they expect while also preparing for anticipated increases in demand."

Modelled after the Castle Bluff Energy Center, the Big Hollow project will cater to peak demand periods with its natural gas capabilities. The 400MW battery installation can swiftly respond to fluctuating energy requirements while enhancing overall network stability.

Ameren Missouri recently accelerated its battery storage expansion strategy. By 2030, the company anticipates reaching a milestone of 1GW capacity and extending this to 1.8GW by 2042.

The selected location benefits from pre-existing infrastructure and transmission lines, streamlining the development process for these facilities that will operate independently yet synergistically within the current framework.

Ameren Missouri senior vice-president and chief development officer Ajay Arora stated: "It is crucial to have a balanced mix of generation technologies and equally important to strategically locate them across the region. This approach maximises the energy output from these resources."

Ameren Missouri's service area covers 60 counties and 500 communities, including the greater St Louis area.