EDF Renewables North America has brought the 200MW Huck Finn Solar Project online in Missouri, where it is now providing clean energy to thousands of homes. This milestone strengthens Missouri’s growing solar energy sector and supports Ameren Missouri’s long-term renewable energy strategy.
Ameren Missouri’s Renewable Energy Expansion
Ameren Missouri acquired the Huck Finn Solar Project through a build-transfer agreement with EDF Renewables, part of its commitment to expanding renewable energy capacity and integrating more solar power into the state’s grid.
Before Huck Finn came online, Missouri had only 708MW of installed solar power, ranking it 36th in the US for total capacity. The project’s launch alone marks a nearly 30% increase in the state’s solar power generation.
Ameren has set ambitious goals for clean energy, with plans to add 2.8 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. To help meet this goal, three additional solar projects in Bowling Green, Vandalia, and Warren County are slated to add another 400MW between late 2025 and 2026.
In 2024, Ameren’s acquisition of three major solar sites, including Huck Finn, brought its total solar investment to approximately $900 million. Two other sites, the Boomtown and Cass County Renewable Energy Centers, will begin operations soon. Combined, these facilities will generate enough energy for 92,000 homes annually.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
The Huck Finn Solar Project brings multiple benefits to Missouri. At full capacity, it generates enough electricity to power over 37,000 homes while enhancing grid reliability and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
The project also created more than 500 jobs during its construction and is expected to generate over $14 million in revenue for the local communities of Audrain and Ralls Counties.
Jesse Laniak, Regional Project Development Manager at EDF Renewables, credited the community for its role in the project’s success. “We extend our sincere gratitude to the communities in Audrain and Ralls Counties whose support has been instrumental in transforming this project into a model of community-driven, sustainable development.”
Mark Birk, Chairman and President of Ameren Missouri, also highlighted the project’s importance. “We are transforming the energy grid to enhance reliability and resiliency for customers as well as provide cleaner energy to our communities.”
Missouri’s Solar Future
Missouri’s solar energy sector is shifting from being residential-focused to accommodating large-scale utility projects. This transition is attracting more investment in renewable energy.
Ameren Missouri’s long-term plan calls for $6 billion in renewable and dispatchable generation by 2028, with EDF Renewables as a key partner in this transformation. To date, the company has developed over 18GW of wind, solar, and storage projects across North America.
This work extends beyond Missouri; for instance, EDF Renewables launched the 229MW Morris Ridge solar project in New York last December. Such developments are crucial for meeting state and national clean energy goals.
The Huck Finn Solar Project is a major step toward Missouri’s energy independence. With more solar facilities like this one coming online, the state is on track to become a leader in the US renewable energy market.