COP28 pledge to expand nuclear capacity is out of touch with reality
While the world noted the Dubai aim of tripling renewables generation capacity by 2030, the controversial summit also saw 25 nations commit to an unofficial pledge to triple nuclear capacity by 2050.
Average solar LCOE increases for first time this year
A new report by Lazard compares the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for various generation technologies on a $/MWh basis. It shows that utility-scale solar and onshore wind LCOE increased for the first time in 2023, at $24/MWh to $96/MWh for solar and $24/MWh to $75 MWh for wind. Nevertheless, the two renewable sources are still the economic frontrunners when compared to nuclear, gas, and coal.
It’s cheaper to build new solar than it is to operate coal plants
New analysis released by Lazard compares the levelized cost of energy for various generation technologies on a $/MWh basis and shows that renewables, specifically utility-scale solar and wind, are the economic frontrunners.
Pumped hydro with better financing can compete with batteries
Pumped hydro storage is highly cost competitive for large-scale energy storage, according to a report published by the San Diego County Water Authority. The report models a pumped hydro project as securing better financing terms than battery storage.
Lazard shows ongoing cost declines in solar (w/ charts)
The consultancy’s 2017 study finds that the global cost of utility-scale solar has reached an unsubsidized LCOE of under $50 per megawatt-hour, making new solar cost-competitive with running existing coal or nuclear plants.
