State regulators approve Ameren’s solar field in Callaway County

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

State regulators on Wednesday approved Ameren Missouri's plans to build a solar field on conservation land near its nuclear plant in southern Callaway County.

The utility applied for a Certificate of Convenience to build and operate the Reform Solar Project last September. The project will be built on land owned by Ameren at the Reform Conservation Area.

The project includes a 250-megawatt solar field and a new switching station.

In its approval of the project, the Public Service Commission noted that Missouri needs more electricity generation and to replace aging infrastructure to meet future demand, according to a news release. The commission also noted the project's minimal impact on landowners because it's being built on land already owned by Ameren.

The project, when finished, will cover about 1,000 acres of the 6,726-acre area, Ameren previously stated.