Ameren Missouri has received approval from the Missouri Public Service Commission to build the Big Hollow Energy Centre – a hybrid facility blending natural gas generation and large-scale battery storage. Located in Jefferson County, the project aims to reinforce statewide power reliability when operations begin in 2028.

The facility will consist of an 800MW simple-cycle natural gas plant and a 400MW lithium-ion battery storage system, and will supply energy to homes, businesses and industries throughout Ameren Missouri’s service area.

Company officials say the project is designed to ensure consistent power during peak demand and extreme weather events while supporting renewable integration.

“Big Hollow adds flexibility and resilience to the energy system that serves customers across Missouri,” said Ajay Arora, senior vice-president and chief development officer at Ameren Missouri.

The new plant will form part of Ameren Missouri’s wider plan to install 1,000MW of battery capacity by 2030 and 1,800MW by 2042. By linking natural gas and battery technology, the company expects to improve reliability while using existing infrastructure to reduce costs and construction time for customers.