Smart Energy Plan Economic Development Community

April 14, 2026

Missouri-Made Equipment Powers Manufacturing Expansion in Eldon

Substation upgrade adds capacity and improves reliability for a growing business and nearby residents.

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Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan is designed to strengthen communities through reliability upgrades and economic development. Throughout the state, the company is investing in the local electric grid so families, schools, and employers can meet their daily energy needs and plan for the future. And when these projects use equipment manufactured in Missouri, more of that investment stays close to home supporting local jobs and the local companies that help power progress in the state.

The latest substation upgrade in Eldon is one of those investments. Ameren Missouri has worked closely with the city and one of its largest employers, Quaker Windows & Doors, to leverage the power of the Smart Energy Plan to support continued expansion.

But the economic benefits of this project extend to other communities throughout the state. For example, the new substation switchgears were manufactured just 40 miles away at nVent in Fulton, Missouri. And the power transformers were built by WEG Transformers USA in Washington, Missouri.

“This upgrade is a prime example of the positive ripple effects of our Smart Energy Plan,” said Jason Haynam, director of Ameren Missouri’s Central Missouri division. “Using these in-state components supports local jobs and helps keep more of the project’s economic activity right here in Missouri.”

WEG has announced its own expansion plans in recent years, thanks in part to investments in upgraded substations through the Smart Energy Plan. Ameren Missouri has worked with more than 1,200 Missouri-based suppliers to support these infrastructure upgrades.

WEG has announced its own expansion plans in recent years, thanks in part to investments in upgraded substations through the Smart Energy Plan. Ameren Missouri has worked with more than 1,200 Missouri-based suppliers to support these infrastructure upgrades.

In Eldon, the new transformers increase the substation’s capacity by 50%, giving the area more power to support growth, including the expansion at Quaker Windows & Doors. The switchgear, made in Fulton, includes smart technology that can quickly detect outages and help restore power automatically. Once the upgraded substation is in service, about 2,400 customers in the surrounding area are expected to benefit from faster restoration after outages.

This is one of several projects supporting economic expansion and changing energy needs near Lake of the Ozarks. To learn more about Smart Energy Plan upgrades in your area, visit Ameren.com/Reliability.