New solar capacity 10 times cheaper than gas, says Rystad

Operating gas-fired power plants would be 10 times more expensive in the long-term than building new solar capacity in Europe, according to research from intelligence company Rystad. Their study uses the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for gas and coal-fired power generation at different price levels and compares it to the LCOE of solar PV and wind.
Cumulative cost of gas power generation vs potential new renewable energy capacity. | Image: Rystad Energy

Building new solar capacity in Europe could be 10 times cheaper than continuing to operate gas-fired power plants in the long-term, according to a new study by Norway-based research company Rystad Energy.

Europe has seen skyrocketing gas prices since the drop in Russian gas exports, with spot prices on the Netherlands-based Title Transfer Facility (TTF) rising to an average €134 ($135.15)/MWh so far this year. Rystad forecasts prices will stabilize at around €31 per MWh by 2030, which puts the LCOE of existing gas-fired plants closer to €150 per MWh.

“This is still three times more than the LCOE of new solar PV facilities. For gas-fired plants to continue being competitive, gas prices would need to fall closer to €17 per MWh and carbon prices would need to fall to €10 per tonne, which is currently unthinkable,” the company said in a statement.

“Gas will continue to play an important role in the European energy mix for some time to come, but unless something fundamental shifts, then simple economics, as well as climate concerns, will tip the balance in favor of renewables,” said Carlos Torres Diaz, head of power at Rystad Energy.

If gas funds were invested in renewables instead, Europe could replace gas with solar and onshore wind power generation by 2028, when total capacity would reach 333 GW, Rystad forecasts. This estimate assumes a weighted average capital cost for the technologies of €1.3 per watt, as well as a two-year pre-development phase.

Written by

Comments

Energia regenerabilă: știrile importante din noiembrie 2022 • Photovoltaic Windows
Nov 24, 2022

[…] Conform PV Magazine un nou studiu Rystad arată că operarea centralelor electrice pe gaz ar fi de 10 ori mai scumpă pe termen lung decât construirea unor noi capacități în Europa de generare a energiei solare. […]

This is how fixing our devices might get lots simpler (and cheaper) – Hunting Headlines
Nov 03, 2022

[…] Constructing extra photo voltaic capability in Europe would show 10 occasions cheaper than persevering with to run gas-fired energy vegetation. The Russia-Ukraine battle has led to skyrocketing fuel costs, however elevated funding in photo voltaic might ease the transition, in line with pv journal. […]

Suggested Readings for November
Nov 03, 2022

[…] New solar capacity 10 times cheaper than gas, says Rystad […]

This is how fixing our devices may get rather a lot simpler (and cheaper) – Hunting Headlines
Nov 02, 2022

[…] Constructing extra photo voltaic capability in Europe would show 10 occasions cheaper than persevering with to run gas-fired energy crops. The Russia-Ukraine battle has led to skyrocketing gasoline costs, however elevated funding in photo voltaic may ease the transition, in line with pv journal. […]

Here’s how fixing our gadgets could get a lot easier (and cheaper) – the Australian time
Nov 02, 2022

[…] Adding solar capacity in Europe costs one-tenth as much as keeping a gas-fired power plant running. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has led to skyrocketing gas prices, but increased investment in solar could ease the transition, he said. pv magazine. […]

Here's how fixing our gadgets could get a lot easier (and cheaper) – The Krtagy
Nov 01, 2022

[…] Building more solar capacity in Europe would prove 10 times cheaper than continuing to run gas-fired power plants. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to skyrocketing gas prices, but increased investment in solar could ease the transition, according to pv magazine. […]

Here's how fixing our gadgets could get a lot easier (and cheaper) – Newspostalk – Global News Platfrom
Nov 01, 2022

[…] Structure a lot more solar ability in Europe would certainly verify 10 times less costly than remaining to run gas-fired nuclear power plant. The Russia-Ukraine problem has actually resulted in increasing gas rates, however enhanced financial investment in solar might relieve the shift, according to pv publication […]

Here's how fixing our gadgets could get a lot easier (and cheaper) – shadesinnews
Nov 01, 2022

[…] Building more solar capacity in Europe would prove 10 times cheaper than continuing to run gas-fired power plants. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to skyrocketing gas prices, but increased investment in solar could ease the transition, according to pv magazine. […]

Here's how fixing our gadgets could get a lot easier (and cheaper) – Your News Times
Nov 01, 2022

[…] Building more solar capacity in Europe would prove 10 times cheaper than continuing to run gas-fired power plants. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to skyrocketing gas prices, but increased investment in solar could ease the transition, according to pv magazine. […]

Here’s how fixing our gadgets could become a lot easier (and cheaper) – Newgentech
Nov 01, 2022

[…] Building more solar capacity in Europe would be 10 times cheaper than continuing to run gas-fired power plants. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict has led to a spike in gas prices, but increased investment in solar power could ease the transition, says photo magazine. […]

Here’s how fixing our gadgets could get a lot easier (and cheaper) – THE WIX
Nov 01, 2022

[…] Building more solar capacity in Europe would prove 10 times cheaper than continuing to run gas-fired power plants. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to skyrocketing gas prices, but increased investment in solar could ease the transition, according to pv magazine. […]

Here’s how fixing our gadgets could get a lot easier (and cheaper) – KnowHereMall-Latest Worldwide News
Nov 01, 2022

[…] Building more solar capacity in Europe would prove 10 times cheaper than continuing to run gas-fired power plants. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to skyrocketing gas prices, but increased investment in solar could ease the transition, according to pv magazine. […]

Here’s how fixing our gadgets could get a lot easier (and cheaper)
Nov 01, 2022

[…] Building more solar capacity in Europe would prove 10 times cheaper than continuing to run gas-fired power plants. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to skyrocketing gas prices, but increased investment in solar could ease the transition, according to pv magazine. […]

Tāpēc mūsu sīkrīku labošana varētu kļūt daudz vienkāršāka (un lētāka). – Vietne tiek atjaunināta visu diennakti
Oct 31, 2022

[…] Lielākas saules enerģijas jaudas izveide Eiropā būtu desmit reizes lētāka nekā gāzes elektrostaciju darbības turpināšana. Krievijas un Ukrainas konflikts ir izraisījis gāzes cenu kāpumu, taču palielinātas investīcijas saules enerģijā varētu atvieglot pāreju, norāda viņi. Žurnāls PV. […]

Revoilà comme réviser nos outils peut réformer énormément alors conciliant (et moins ruineux) – berserkscan.store
Oct 31, 2022

[…] Équilibrer alors d’stabilité solaire en Amériques reviendrait dix jour moins ruineux que de reconduire à plier(se) aller des centrales électriques au gaz. Le combat dans la Russie et l’Ukraine a encouragé une solide enrichissement des distinction du gaz, exclusivement l’redoublement des investissements entre l’stabilité solaire pourrait coopérer la transformation, continuateur lui. Magazine photoélectrique. […]

Here's how fixing our gadgets could become a lot easier (and cheaper) – Tech News
Oct 31, 2022

[…] Building more solar capacity in Europe would be 10 times cheaper than continuing to run gas-fired power plants. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict has led to a spike in gas prices, but increased investment in solar power could ease the transition, says photo magazine. […]

Here is how fixing our devices might get so much simpler (and cheaper) – Wear Valley Mercury
Oct 31, 2022

[…] Constructing extra photo voltaic capability in Europe would show 10 occasions cheaper than persevering with to run gas-fired energy vegetation. The Russia-Ukraine battle has led to skyrocketing fuel costs, however elevated funding in photo voltaic might ease the transition, in line with pv magazine. […]

Here’s how fixing our gadgets could get a lot easier (and cheaper) – CitrixNews
Oct 31, 2022

[…] Building more solar capacity in Europe would prove 10 times cheaper than continuing to run gas-fired power plants. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to skyrocketing gas prices, but increased investment in solar could ease the transition, according to pv magazine. […]

Here’s how fixing our gadgets could get a lot easier (and cheaper) – AL Dubai Luxury
Oct 31, 2022

[…] Building more solar capacity in Europe would prove 10 times cheaper than continuing to run gas-fired power plants. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to skyrocketing gas prices, but increased investment in solar could ease the transition, according to pv magazine. […]

New solar capacity 10 times cheaper than gas, says intelligence company Rystad – Technology Tube
Oct 31, 2022

[…] submitted by /u/EnergyTransitionNews [link] […]

Jan Olsen
Oct 30, 2022

Carbon tax at $10, what is the actual cost difference at zero carbon tax? And zero subsidies for solar…and using gas prices prior to 2021.

peter john
Oct 29, 2022

Think of it as going to war. If Germany was going to war it would borrow $trillion. It can burrow $trillons to go fully renewable.

Thamesmud
Oct 29, 2022

“If gas funds were invested in renewables instead, Europe could replace gas with solar and onshore wind power generation by 2028″….. And when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow we just have a Holliday or freez. This approach only works if there is the political will to build a substantial base load nuclear system, if not gas is here to stay.

Show replies
Hide replies
Martin Cox
Nov 01, 2022

Not true. If you read more here at PV Magazine you will learn about grid-scale energy storage systems. Intermittency is the trump card of the fossil fuel industry and it conveniently ignores all the amazing developments in sustainable battery technology.

The debacle with Russian gas illustrates that fossil fuels provide low levels of energy security compared to sustainable energy supplies. I think in this regard, gas and oil has bigger problems with intermittency.

Facepalm
Oct 31, 2022

If only there were some way to store some of that energy and use it to power the grid when generation isn’t enough…

Ian Hill
Oct 29, 2022

Based on computer models then when they get into real world problems of snow rain clouds they find out that they produce 20-30% less as Spain Germany England California did.

Show replies
Hide replies
Steve Pester
Nov 03, 2022

Hi Ian – real world met data is always factored into computer simulations. It is usually based on a nominal year, calculated from a 10 year average of measured data.
My experience is that we often find that our real-world solar installations out-perform the computer models used to support the initial business case.

KZBFF ELF
Oct 28, 2022

Inflation will be a thing of the past