"We are actively looking at development projects outside ofIllinois," says Rick Smith, manager generation development forAmeren Energy Resources Co., the power plant development arm ofAmeren. Smith would not divulge exactly where Ameren is looking toexpand nor would he give a possible time frame for any developmentannouncements.

Ameren, like other power developers nationwide such as Calpine,Duke and Dynegy, has been building plants at a fast pace in orderto meet demand following years of inactivity due to industryuncertainty caused by rapid deregulation of the electric utilitybusiness. In the past year, Ameren has developed projects in GibsonCity, Pickneyville and Patoka.

The company has been focusing on so-called peaker power plantsthat provide power to the grid at times of peak demand when powerprices can sometimes be many times those prevailing during times ofnormal demand. Earlier this month, Ameren brought 630 megawatts ofpeaker capacity on-line from 11 Illinois plants.