Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. energy firm Ameren's ( AEE )

Missouri unit said on Friday that it had made significant

changes to its strategy to accelerate investment in generation,

bolster reliability and create jobs.

The change aims to provide for 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of

expected new demand by 2032 with a balanced mix of generation

resources, the company said in a statement.

It said it had filed a $16.2 billion, five-year energy plan

with the Missouri Public Service Commission, the state's utility

regulator, to invest in modern infrastructure, enhancing grid

reliability and resilience to support new generation.

In the updated plan, the company said it plans to build

1,600 megawatts of natural gas-fired generation, 2,700 MW of

wind and solar, 1,000 MW of battery storage by 2030, and 1,500

MW of new nuclear energy by 2045.

Meanwhile, Ameren ( AEE ) on Thursday reported lower-than-expected

fourth-quarter net profit due to higher interest and operating

expenses.

Ameren Missouri has been significantly investing in grid

infrastructure upgrades, leading to increased borrowing and

higher interest payments.