MO — Power Infrastructure Updated 2026-07-17

Missouri

MISO/SPP Natural Gas Nuclear Solar Wind Storage Data Center PPAs Queue Bottlenecks Transmission Constraints

1) Grid operator and market structure

  • RTO/ISO coverage: Missouri is split between MISO and SPP. FERC describes MISO as operating the transmission grid in portions of 15 states including Missouri, and SPP as managing transmission in portions of fourteen states including Missouri. FERC MISO guide, 2024-04-15; FERC SPP guide, 2026-06-10
  • Market structure: Missouri remains a traditionally regulated retail electricity market. EIA’s 2024 Missouri electricity profile lists total retail sales of 77,776,034 MWh, full-service provider sales of 77,776,034 MWh, and energy-only provider sales of 0 MWh. U.S. EIA, 2025-10-30

2) Interconnection queue (status, depth, reforms, data-center relevance)

  • MISO queue process and reforms: MISO’s generator interconnection page describes a non-discriminatory process for additions to the MISO-controlled grid and notes that future capacity forecasts have prompted the GIQ cap, automation, January 2024 reforms, Order 2023 compliance, and the temporary Expedited Resource Addition Study (ERAS) process. MISO, 2026-06-10
  • MISO queue depth: MISO’s 2023 queue cycle drew about 600 applications totaling about 123 GW, which would have raised the queue to roughly 348 GW if all applications were validated. American Public Power Association, 2023-12-21
  • SPP queue reforms: SPP said in 2025 that it had completed its plan to clear the generator interconnection backlog and was transitioning toward its Consolidated Planning Process (CPP). Southwest Power Pool, 2025-09-04
  • SPP CPP approval: FERC approved SPP’s Consolidated Planning Process effective March 1, 2026, integrating long-term transmission planning and generator-interconnection studies; SPP opened the first CPP study window in April. Southwest Power Pool, 2026-03-16
  • SPP HILL/HILLGA process: SPP’s High Impact Large Load (HILL) and paired-generation HILLGA tariff provisions became effective January 15, 2026; FERC accepted the February compliance revisions on March 9. The framework adds enhanced study and operating requirements—including real-time telemetry and SPP remote-disconnection capability—and an expedited process for generation dedicated to a HILL; SPP says coordinated load, generation, and delivery-point studies can provide a path to agreements within 90 days. FERC / SPP ER26-247-001, 2026-03-09; Southwest Power Pool, 2026-07-17
  • SPP conditional large-load service: FERC accepted SPP’s Conditional High Impact Large Load Service (CHILLS) tariff effective July 1, 2026, subject to a compliance condition. CHILLS is non-firm, as-available service for one to seven years while a HILL obtains designated resources or completes network upgrades; it is subordinate to firm service and can be curtailed or interrupted during constraints and emergencies. FERC / SPP ER26-1323, 2026-06-05
  • Federal large-load proceedings affecting MISO and SPP: On June 18 FERC opened separate show-cause proceedings requiring all six RTOs/ISOs to justify their existing large-load rules or file reforms within 60 days, and to report within 30 days how adequate generation will be available. The orders address study processes, cost-shift protection, co-location and behind-the-meter generation, flexible transmission service, and joint study of large loads with nearby generation; they began proceedings rather than imposing final replacement tariffs. FERC, 2026-06-18; FERC SPP Order, 2026-06-18; FERC MISO Order, 2026-06-18
  • MISO large-load integration framework under development: MISO’s active framework targets interconnection approval within 120 days, proposes non-firm and firm-service step-up options during network construction, and is developing common requirements for data, modeling, ramping, ride-through, stability, telemetry, and curtailment. These were still development goals—not final tariff rights—as of July 17. MISO, 2026-07-17; MISO Large Load Working Group, 2026-06-09
  • Large-load/data-center interconnection process in Missouri: Missouri-specific large-load visibility is primarily in PSC and utility filings rather than public RTO queue summaries. The PSC large-load page states that SB 4 requires rates for large-load customers, including data centers, that reflect those customers’ cost share and prevent unjust or unreasonable costs being charged to other customers. Missouri PSC, 2026-07-17
  • Evergy Missouri West 2026 base-planning load: Evergy Missouri West’s 2026 Annual Update incorporated five specific large-load customers into all load-forecast scenarios, with combined peak demand projected at approximately 800 MW at steady state; Evergy said three had executed LLPS electric service agreements and two were below the 75 MW LLPS threshold. Missouri PSC EFIS / Evergy Missouri West 2026 Annual Update, 2026-05-07
  • Ameren Missouri contracted-load pipeline: Ameren reported on February 12 that it had signed large-load electric-service agreements totaling 2.2 GW of future Missouri demand. Its construction-agreement pipeline totaled 3.4 GW, inclusive of those signed service agreements; customer announcements, construction, and other milestones were still required before load entered service. Ameren, 2026-02-12
  • MISO regional data-center forecast: MISO’s April long-term forecast modeled 8-14 GW of data-center growth across its footprint in 2026-2027 and projected data centers at roughly one-fifth of MISO energy by 2030 under its current trajectory. These are regional scenarios rather than Missouri-specific committed load. MISO 2026 Long-Term Load Forecast, 2026-04-13
  • Project-specific power visibility: The City of Independence says Nebius will require at least 800 MW, supplied by a new privately financed facility at the retired Blue Valley Power Plant site, with an initial 200 MW phase and another 600 MW at full operation. City of Independence, 2026-06-10

3) Ratepayer protection (tariffs, cost allocation, PSC orders)

  • PSC large-load framework: The PSC says Ameren Missouri and Evergy have approved large-load tariffs, while Liberty’s case remains in progress. The PSC’s listed protections include minimum 12-year service contracts, optional five-year ramp periods, collateral equal to two years of minimum monthly bills, exit and early termination fees, minimum monthly bills based on 80% of agreed demand, cost-stabilization recovery, and optional renewable/carbon-free programs at large-load customers’ expense. Missouri PSC, 2026-07-17
  • Evergy large-load tariff (EO-2025-0154): The PSC approved Evergy’s tariffs on February 25 and issued a notice closing the case March 13. EFIS nevertheless lists the docket as “Reopened (6/30/2026)” after Sierra Club counsel filed a notice of withdrawal; the administrative reopening did not vacate or revise the tariff-approval order. Missouri PSC EFIS EO-2025-0154, 2026-07-17
  • Ameren Missouri large-load tariff (ET-2025-0184): The PSC approved Ameren’s tariff revision on December 19, 2025 and issued a notice closing the case February 4. EFIS lists the docket as “Reopened (6/30/2026)” after Sierra Club counsel filed a notice of withdrawal; the administrative reopening did not vacate or revise the approval order. Missouri PSC EFIS ET-2025-0184, 2026-07-17
  • Liberty large-load tariff (ET-2026-0184): Liberty’s tariff case remained listed as in progress as of July 17, 2026; no final tariff approval was posted. Missouri PSC, 2026-07-17; Missouri PSC EFIS ET-2026-0184, 2026-07-17
  • Evergy Missouri Metro general rate case (ER-2026-0143): Evergy requested a 14.9%, $137.9M increase, about $17.70/month for an average residential customer. Evergy said the filing included no costs to serve new data centers and reduced the request by $25M based on projected 2026 large-load revenue; the PSC case remained open, so neither the rate increase nor Evergy’s claimed large-load benefit was final by July 17. Evergy, 2026-02-06; Missouri PSC EFIS ER-2026-0143, 2026-07-17
  • Ameren general rate case (ER-2026-0291): Ameren filed June 26 for approximately $343M in additional annual base-rate revenue, equivalent to about $13/month for the average residential customer. The PSC suspended the tariff July 8 for an 11-month review; no cost-allocation decision had been made by July 17. Ameren separately asserted that future large-load customers create $21M of base-rate savings over two years, a company claim subject to the case review. Missouri PSC, 2026-07-01; Missouri PSC EFIS, 2026-07-08; Ameren Missouri, 2026-06-26
  • 2026 legislative proposals: SB 1750 would have lowered the large-load threshold for large investor-owned utilities from 100 MW to 50 MW, required PSC disclosure review, required pre- and post-construction studies, barred cost shifting, and required low-income ratepayer contributions. It died after May 7 committee referral, and Missouri enacted no data-center-specific bill in the regular session. Missouri Senate SB 1750 status, 2026-05-07; KSMU, 2026-06-29

4) Generation adequacy (projects, storage, shortfall risks)

  • Ameren Missouri revised Preferred Resource Plan: The plan filed publicly with Ameren’s May 22, 2026 CCN application supports 1.5 GW of additional demand by 2032 and 2.5 GW by 2040; an upside contingency models 2 GW by 2032 and 3.5 GW by 2040. The resource timeline includes 2.7 GW solar by 2032, 2 GW wind by 2035, 1.8 GW battery storage by 2042, 2.8 GW combustion turbines by 2042, 3.3 GW combined-cycle gas by 2037, and 1.5 GW new nuclear in 2040, plus a Callaway license extension. Missouri PSC EFIS / Ameren Missouri, 2026-05-22
  • Big Hollow CCN approval: The PSC approved Ameren Missouri’s Big Hollow project on February 11, 2026, granting CCNs for an approximately 800 MW multi-unit simple-cycle natural gas facility and a 400 MW battery energy storage system at the former Rush Island site in Jefferson County, interconnected to Ameren Missouri’s 345 kV transmission system. Missouri PSC, 2026-02-11
  • Reform Project CCN approval: The PSC approved Ameren Missouri’s Reform Project on May 13, 2026, granting a CCN for a 250 MW solar facility in Callaway County with a new 345 kV Odyssey Switching Station; the PSC said Missouri needs additional generation to replace aging resources and meet demand associated with economic-development opportunities. Missouri PSC, 2026-05-13
  • Ameren storage/solar CCN requests: Ameren’s open EA-2026-0183 application covers 545 MW of battery storage across Meramec, Audrain, and Lincoln County sites, a Lincoln County 161 kV switching station, and 400 MW of solar in Audrain and Stoddard counties. The PSC set a procedural schedule and local public hearings in July; no final CCN order had issued by July 17. Missouri PSC, 2026-05-29; Missouri PSC EFIS EA-2026-0183, 2026-07-14
  • Liberty State Line generation approval: On June 17 the PSC approved Liberty’s CCN for an approximately 250 MW simple-cycle F-class combustion turbine at the State Line Power Station in Joplin. Liberty’s March IRP placed the project in the 2030 timeframe; the approval was a general resource-adequacy action, not an order assigning the plant to a particular data center. Missouri PSC EFIS EA-2026-0299, 2026-06-17; Missouri PSC EFIS / Liberty IRP, 2026-03-13
  • Evergy resource additions: Evergy’s 2026 Missouri West Annual Update says its preferred plan adds approved CCN resources under development, uses market-capacity purchases in the near term, adds a shared 355 MW half-CCGT in 2032, and delays some retirement dates relative to the 2025 preferred plan to address large-load growth and SPP resource-adequacy changes. Missouri PSC EFIS / Evergy Missouri West 2026 Annual Update, 2026-05-07
  • Statewide planning update pending: EO 26-02 directs DNR and PSC to review energy regulations, utility practices, ratepayer protection, and future needs tied to AI infrastructure. DNR says the September 1 State Energy Plan will forecast data-center demand under multiple scenarios and the broader EO findings remain due November 30. Missouri Secretary of State, 2026-01-13; Missouri DNR, 2026-07-17

5) Utility load forecasts (data center demand in IRPs)

  • Evergy Metro load forecast: Evergy Metro’s 2024 IRP executive summary shows 2023-2043 rate-class growth and says additional economic-development load was added to Evergy Metro peak and energy forecasts for integrated analysis, but not shown in the base forecast charts. Missouri PSC EFIS / Evergy Metro IRP, 2024-04-01
  • Evergy Missouri West large-load forecast: Evergy Missouri West’s 2026 Annual Update says new large-load customer forecasts are included in its energy and peak forecasts for low, mid, and high scenarios; the five customers in base planning begin ramping in 2026, reach peaks by 2032, and continue at those levels through the 20-year planning period. Missouri PSC EFIS / Evergy Missouri West 2026 Annual Update, 2026-05-07
  • Liberty large-load pipeline: Liberty’s March IRP update disclosed interest from customers meeting its 50 MW large-load threshold but classified none as “likely to materialize” at that time. It also pointed to a separate public large-load request process and said its pending tariff was intended to mitigate stranded-cost risk if a load failed to persist. Missouri PSC EFIS / Liberty 2026 IRP Annual Update, 2026-03-13; Missouri PSC EFIS EO-2026-0230, 2026-07-17
  • Google / Project Mica: Port KC identifies Project Mica as nearly 700 MW across five hyperscale buildings, and KSHB reported that Google will cover the full energy costs for both Google Kansas City campuses under an agreement with Evergy. Port KC, 2026-06-10; KSHB, 2026-02-13
  • Google / New Florence: The Governor’s May 20 announcement says Google will invest $15B in New Florence and includes an Ameren statement that the project is the largest economic development project in Ameren Missouri’s service territory and will use Ameren’s large-load rate structure. Governor of Missouri, 2026-05-20
  • Amazon / Montgomery County: Amazon’s June 15 announcement fixes the project at $10B and states that it will pay 100% of the electric-service and grid-connection costs under Ameren service, with no electric-rate incentive or discount. Missouri DED, 2026-06-15
  • Crusoe / Callaway County proposal: Crusoe’s early-stage July proposal calls for two approximately 204 MW buildings and a campus capped at 500 MW. Crusoe said it identified existing power availability and would pay for required infrastructure, but utility and water approvals were still pending. ABC 17, 2026-07-14
  • Wildwood Ranch / Joplin proposal: Joplin approved annexation and heavy-industrial rezoning in February, but its March 6 update reported no construction-permit application and said the developer was first conducting an electric-power feasibility study. This remained a potential load rather than a committed interconnection by July 17. City of Joplin, 2026-03-06
  • Blitz/Airworld / Kansas City commissioning power gap: An April 15 DNR determination said the facility was nearing turnover and scheduled to begin commissioning June 1, but Evergy did not expect full utility power until late summer. The commissioning plan called for 15 MW of temporary prime power from June through October, with up to another 18 MW during June-July if partial utility service was insufficient, plus shorter-duration cooling-system generators. DNR treated the portable units as nonroad engines so long as they remained on site less than 12 months. Missouri DNR, 2026-04-15
  • Nebius / Independence: The City of Independence FAQ states the Nebius project will require at least 800 MW, with SPP reserve requirements mandating another 300 MW in reserve capacity. City of Independence, 2026-06-10

6) Behind-the-meter / co-location / direct procurement

  • PSC tariffs emphasize utility service: Missouri’s approved large-load tariff framework is built around utility service, long-term contracts, collateral, minimum bills, cost-stabilization recovery, and optional utility clean-energy programs; it does not create a general statewide behind-the-meter/co-location regime for data centers. Missouri PSC, 2026-06-10
  • Independence private power model: Nebius is structured differently from investor-owned utility tariffs because the City says at least 800 MW will be supplied by a new privately financed facility at the retired Blue Valley Power Plant site, with Nebius paying its full electricity cost and existing Independence Power & Light customers not impacted. City of Independence, 2026-06-10
  • Google energy affordability / cost assignment: Google announced a $20M Energy Impact Fund and the Governor’s announcement links the New Florence investment to energy affordability programs; the Google/Project Mica Kansas City reporting says Google will cover the full energy costs for both Google Kansas City campuses under its Evergy agreement. Governor of Missouri, 2026-05-20; KSHB, 2026-02-13

7) Transmission constraints and upgrades (data-center siting impacts)

  • MISO-SPP seam constraints: MISO says transmission along the MISO-SPP seam has been at capacity and that the five-project $1.6B JTIQ portfolio is expected to enable about 28.6 GW of generation to interconnect; SPP approved the portfolio December 9, 2024, and MISO approved it as part of MTEP24 on December 12, 2024. MISO, 2026-06-10; MISO JTIQ fact sheet, 2026-06-10
  • SPP CPP, HILL/HILLGA, and CHILLS relevance: SPP’s CPP integrates long-term transmission planning and generator-interconnection studies, while HILL/HILLGA coordinates large-load and supporting-generation review and CHILLS offers curtailable, non-firm bridge service while firm resources or network upgrades are developed. Together these reforms materially affect the timing and conditions for large loads in SPP-served Missouri. Southwest Power Pool, 2026-03-16; Southwest Power Pool, 2026-07-17; FERC / SPP ER26-1323, 2026-06-05
  • Ameren transmission-linked generation siting: The PSC’s 2026 Ameren orders show large generation/storage additions being sited around existing or new high-voltage infrastructure, including Big Hollow at the former Rush Island site on Ameren’s 345 kV system and the Reform Project’s new 345 kV Odyssey Switching Station. Missouri PSC, 2026-02-11; Missouri PSC, 2026-05-13
  • Montgomery-Callaway Connector (pending): Ameren’s open EA-2026-0058 application seeks approval for an approximately 30-mile, double-circuit 345 kV line between the Burns and Montgomery substations. Ameren says MISO identified the upgrade to accommodate about 1,500 MW of third-party generation, with a PSC decision expected in fall 2026 and service targeted for late 2030; the filing does not designate the line as a data-center-only project. Missouri PSC EFIS EA-2026-0058, 2026-07-15; Ameren Missouri, 2026-07-17
  • Public queue limitation: MISO notes it cannot publicly disclose specific project details until generator interconnection agreements are filed with FERC, so data center-linked load and supporting generation often appear first in PSC, city, county, or utility project records rather than in public RTO queue summaries. MISO, 2026-06-10

Notes on methods

  • This update uses explicit links and covers developments from February 1 through July 17, 2026 using PSC dockets, state bill trackers, DNR/EO materials, utility filings, and local project records.