"We are excited to take this transformative step to bring more renewable generation to our customers," said Michael Moehn, president of Ameren Missouri. "Adding more wind energy will help us achieve our goal to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050."
The facility would be built by an affiliate of Terra-Gen, in Adair and Schuyler counties. Groundbreaking is expected in the third quarter of 2019. The wind farm will consist of 175 American-made wind turbines that will stand more than 450 feet above the ground. These types of turbines will be among the most technologically advanced in the state. Energy produced by the wind farm is anticipated to power an estimated 120,000 homes by 2020.
The wind farm is enabled by the expanded transmission capacity made possible by Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois' Mark Twain Transmission Project, approved in January by the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC). The Mark Twain Transmission Project has a targeted in-service date of December 2019.
"The new transmission line is vital to the expansion of renewable energy generation and distribution in Missouri," Moehn said. "In addition to being an engine for economic growth, the Mark Twain Transmission Project will strengthen our region's energy grid and deliver greater energy reliability."
The transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including timely approval from the PSC and obtaining a timely and acceptable Midcontinent Independent System Operator transmission interconnection agreement.
