Grid Talk: The Future Grid - Ameren Transmission's Take

"What is happening in mid-America is sweeping the nation, and more transmission and distribution line planning must be coordinated."

SHAWN SCHUKAR, CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT, AMEREN TRANSMISSION

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.