In a First For the US, Wind And Solar Energy Generate More Power Than Nuclear

Data from SUN DAY Campaign analysis of the Energy Information Administration (EIA) has revealed that the wind and solar energy sources produced 17.96 per cent more power than nuclear power plants in the USA. It is for the first time that the United States produced more solar and wind energy than nuclear in the country’s history. Happening even as there is widespread skepticism in that country about the viability of solar and wind, the issue is whether this will allow unfettered growth of solar and wind going ahead.

The EIA data also shows that the increase in wind and solar electricity generation along with the geothermal, hydroelectric and biomass energy makes about 30 per cent of the total electricity of the USA. A year ago, this clean energy share in the US was at a not insignificant 20 per cent.

Ken Bossong, Executive Director, SUN DAY Campaign, said, “Notwithstanding headwinds such as the COVID pandemic, grid access problems, and disruptions in global supply chains, solar and wind remain on a roll.”

He further added, “Moreover, by surpassing nuclear power by ever greater margins, they illustrate the foolishness of trying to revive the soon-to-retire Diablo Canyon nuclear plant in California and the just-retired Palisades reactor in Michigan rather than focusing on accelerating renewables’ growth.”

The analysis holds that there is no carbon dioxide emission in the nuclear power production process which is the prime greenhouse gas but the nuclear waste generated in nuclear power plants is incredibly dangerous and not easy to dispose off. While this might be debatable in the context of the sky high prices of fossil fuels right now, the emergence of solar and wind as a signficant contributor in their own right is to be welcomed in the world’s largest economy.

Especially as coal remains the backbone of power production in the USA althoughon a declining trend. Coal-based power in the country has decreased by about 4 per cent last year. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has said in one of its reports that to achieve net-zero targets under the Paris Agreement by 2050, global wind and solar energy should be 20 per cent of total electricity by 2025 and 70 per cent by 2050.

Ember, Phil MacDonald, COO, SUN DAY Campaign, said, “Wind and solar are breaking records around the world. The process that will reshape the existing energy system has begun. Wind and solar provide a solution to the ‘trilemma’ of achieving a sustainable, affordable and secure energy supply. This decade they need to be deployed at lightning speed.”