Ameren Missouri Secures Approval for 250‑MW Callaway Solar Farm

Ameren Missouri won approval to build a 250‑megawatt solar farm next to its Callaway nuclear plant, with construction expected to start later this year and power delivery by 2028. The facility will supply roughly 44,000 homes and could see federal tax credits cover 40 % to 50 % of its total cost.

The Missouri Public Service Commission voted Wednesday to grant Ameren a certificate of convenience and necessity for the Reform Renewable Energy Center in Callaway County. The project sits on about 1,200 acres of land the utility already owns surrounding its existing nuclear station.

Besides the solar array, the approval includes a new 345‑kilovolt switching station named Odyssey that will connect the farm to the transmission grid. Ameren noted that using its own land and nearby infrastructure helps keep development expenses lower.

The commission cited Missouri’s need for additional generation to replace aging plants and meet rising demand linked to economic growth. No formal objections were filed by the Office of the Public Counsel or the Sierra Club during the proceeding.

Ameren estimates the 250‑MW solar farm will generate enough electricity to power about 44,000 average households each year. This output matches the figure cited in the commission’s order.

Company officials said during earlier hearings they expect federal renewable‑energy tax incentives to offset between 40 % and 50 % of the project’s total cost, although the overall budget has not been made public. The approval requires Ameren to report any changes in cost or tax treatment as construction proceeds.

Ground‑breaking could occur as early as late 2024, with the solar farm slated to begin commercial operation in 2028. Ameren also mentioned it may explore adding battery storage at the site later, but that would need a separate regulatory review.

For Ameren, the solar addition diversifies its generation mix beyond nuclear and fossil fuels, helping the utility meet state‑level renewable goals and reduce reliance on purchased power. The project’s scale could also lower wholesale electricity prices in the region over time.

Missouri’s grid will gain a sizable renewable resource that can contribute to meeting increasing demand from businesses and residential customers. However, some local residents have voiced concerns online about land use and visual impacts of large‑scale solar in rural areas, a topic that may resurface during permitting for any future expansion.

The ability to add battery storage later could improve the farm’s flexibility, allowing stored solar energy to be dispatched during peak periods or when the nuclear plant is offline. Any storage proposal will need its own commission approval before moving forward.

Watch for Ameren’s periodic cost updates and any formal battery‑storage request as the project advances toward its 2028 start‑up date.