In a significant boost to Illinois’s renewable energy capacity, Savion LLC, a Shell Plc portfolio company, has finalized the sale of its 150-megawatt Cass County Solar Project to Ameren Missouri. The deal, completed in June 2024, marks the first utility-scale solar development in the state for Savion and a key acquisition for Ameren’s clean energy goals.
Situated on approximately 1,700 acres near Beardstown, the facility is a major undertaking. Upon its scheduled completion by the end of 2024, the project will integrate into the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) grid. Its array of up to 330,000 solar panels is projected to generate sufficient clean electricity to power an estimated 27,500 homes annually, based on average residential usage for Ameren customers.
The acquisition is a cornerstone of Ameren’s strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. The power generated will directly support the utility’s Renewable Solutions program, which enables corporate clients like Walmart, World Wide Technologies, SSM Health, and Mastercard to meet their own environmental targets by subscribing to clean energy.
“Industrial customers participating in the Renewable Solutions program help offset some of the costs for renewables, thereby providing benefits to everyone,” explained Scott Wibbenmeyer, Ameren’s senior director of renewable business development.
The project’s journey from concept to acquisition involved key milestones. After securing permits in 2020, Savion Energy commenced construction in June 2023, a process that created around 250 local union jobs. The final transfer was facilitated in June 2024 when the Missouri Public Service Commission granted Ameren Missouri a certificate of convenience and necessity for the transaction.
Nick Lincon, President of Savion, commented on the successful partnership. “We congratulate and express gratitude to our partner, Ameren Missouri, for their commitment to bringing the Cass County Solar Project to fruition,” he stated. “This journey has been filled with excitement, necessitating close collaboration between our organizations to develop Savion’s inaugural utility-scale solar project in Illinois. We extend sincere thanks to the local community, landowners and stakeholders for their invaluable support.”
As a leading developer, Savion manages a portfolio exceeding 43.3 GW across 31 states, with roughly 150 projects currently in its development pipeline.
Sources for Savion LLC Sells 150-MW Cass County Solar Project to Ameren
- [PDF] highly confidential – efis.psc.mo.gov
- [PDF] Conservation Plan Cass County Solar Project … – Natural Heritage
- Ameren Missouri Granted CCN for Generation Facility in Cass …
- News – Savion Renewable Energy
- Savion Completes Sale of 150 MW Cass County Solar Project to …
- KC-based Savion sells huge solar project in central Illinois
- Power plant profile: Cass County Solar Project, US
- Ameren Missouri to build and acquire 550MW of new solar projects