Ameren Missouri proposes renewable choice program for large businesses, cities

Dive Brief:

Ameren Missouri has proposed a Renewable Choice Program aimed at large business customers and cities, allowing them to meet some or all of their energy needs with carbon-free wind generation.
The utility filed its proposal on Monday with the Missouri Public Service Commission. Ameren says it is already in talks with several large customers who are interested in the offering.
Ameren's plan comes just two months after it floated a major investment in renewable energy. The utility has proposed developing 700 MW of wind generation by 2020, along with 100 MW of solar over the next decade.

Dive Insight:

Ameren has wasted no time in seeking customers for its $1 billion renewable energy investment proposal, helping to leverage a goal to cut carbon emissions 80% by 2050, relative to 2005 levels. The utility said some large customers have shown an interest in meeting more of their demand with clean energy resources.

Ajay Arora, vice president of environmental services and generation resource planning, sad the Renewable Choice Program would "give our environmentally minded business and municipal customers a convenient way to receive more of their energy from renewable resources."

Customers would be able to meet up to 100% of their average energy usage from renewable resources. In a statement, the utility said "talks are in progress with several large customers who share the desire for cleaner energy."

The utility says its renewable proposal is the first in the state that aims to assist customers in meeting their energy needs with wind generation.

Ameren's plans also include retiring more than half of its coal-fired generating capacity, including the Meramec Energy Center in south St. Louis County by the end of 2022. The utility also left open the possibility that even more wind energy will be added as a result of improving technology and economics, and renewable energy initiatives with large customers.

Only three years ago, Ameren's previous Integrated Resource Plan had forecasted additions of just 120 MW of wind generation by 2020.