Ameren Missouri reaches reliability milestone amid historic storm season

Smart technology prevents more than 150,000 customer outages during major severe weather outbreaks in 2025, even more during normal operating conditions

ST. LOUIS, July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Missouri has been impacted by severe and volatile weather in 2025, including ice storms, high winds and tornado outbreaks. Despite the devastation to communities and damage to electric infrastructure, Ameren Missouri has reached a new milestone in customer reliability. Smart switch technology, a key element of the company's Smart Energy Plan, automatically prevented more than 150,000 outages during major storm events in the first six months of 2025. This is more than double the company's previous yearly high set in 2023.

Smart switches are automated devices installed strategically along electric distribution lines. These switches detect outages on the system and instantly reroute power from another source. These operations help reduce the size and duration of outages while crews focus on repairing the problem. Customers restored through smart switching may notice only a momentary power flicker.

Smart switches by the numbers:

• 59,000 outages prevented during the March 14 tornado outbreak.
• 43 million outage minutes avoided in the first six months of 2025.
• Approximately 90 million outage minutes avoided since 2021.
• 325,000 customer outages prevented during major storms since 2021.
• More than 1,800 smart switches installed through the Smart Energy Plan.
• Smart switches and other grid upgrades can improve reliability by up to 40%.

"In this case, we're looking only at smart switch performance during what we define as major weather events. But these devices are working 24/7, rain or shine, to support reliability for our customers," says Tim Lafser, senior vice president of energy delivery for Ameren Missouri. "The true scope of outage prevention efforts is actually much greater, thanks to Smart Energy Plan investments."

Major storm events included Winter Storm Blair in January, a tornado outbreak in March, a tornado touchdown in Delta, Missouri, in April, and the May 16 tornado in St. Louis, among several other impactful weather events across the Ameren Missouri service territory in the first six months of 2025.

In addition to smart switches, the Smart Energy Plan includes other major infrastructure upgrades to support reliability. These investments include the addition of composite poles, which are stronger than wood poles and help prevent cascading damage. Ameren Missouri has storm-hardened more than 250 miles of overhead power lines since 2019, supporting faster restoration for customers.

These upgrades not only support reliability but also enhance safety, efficiency and capacity for future growth.

"Our commitment to powering the quality of life for our customers and the communities we serve drives everything we do," said Lafser. "Reliable energy means more than keeping the lights on; it ensures families can live without disruption while also fueling economic development across Missouri, attracting businesses and supporting jobs in the region."

Ameren Missouri plans to install additional smart switches on the system this year while storm-hardening and upgrading other infrastructure, such as substations and underground cables, to support reliability. To learn more about projects in your area, visit AmerenMissouri.com/SmartEnergyPlan.

About Ameren Missouri
Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.3 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers approximately 60 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

SOURCE Ameren Missouri