The Future Grid - Ameren Transmission’s Take

The push for clean energy in the United States means there is a
massive need for increased transmission capacity as more
renewable energy is generated. In this episode of Grid Talk, we
talk with Shawn Schukar who is the Chairman and President of
Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois.


“We have increased the investment in our grid by nine to ten
times what we were making 10 years ago,” said Schukar.


According Schukar, that’s just the beginning of what is needed to
ensure reliability for a system in transition.


“There is no doubt we are going to need significantly greater
investments in the transmission space if we’re going to
transition to this, whether it’s 80% or 100% clean energy.”


The company is expanding its footprint by taking on projects
outside its traditional service area. 


“We are looking at making transmission investments where we can
utilize our skillsets and our capabilities to bring value to the
customers.”


Mr. Schukar has more than 30 years of experience in the utility
industry. He has led various Ameren Transmission Company of
Illinois divisions. During his tenure with the company, including
marketing; trading and asset management; transmission,
distribution and generation management; engineering; regulatory
and risk management; and business and corporate planning.


Mr. Schukar has a master's degree in business administration from
the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where he also
earned a Bachelor of Science in engineering.