Steve Goreham explains why electricity costs will rise even more as more wind and solar facilities are built. Steve Goreham was a speaker at Friends of Science annual major event in May 2017 and is the author of several books about climate and energy polices. Goreham wrote “U.S. average electricity prices rose 27% from 2008 to 2022. But in eight of the top 12 wind states, power prices rose between 33 and 73% over the 14-year period. Prices rose in Iowa (36%), Kansas (54%), Illinois (33%), Colorado (37%), California (73%), Minnesota (53%), Nebraska (37%) and Washington (35%).” The European countries with the most wind and solar capacity, experience the highest residential electricity prices. Denmark and Germany have deployed over 1,600 watts per person of wind and solar facilities, the highest density in Europe. Electricity prices for Denmark (0.29 euros per kilowatt-hour) and Germany (0.32 €/kWhr) are the highest in Europe, and two-and-a-half times the prices in the U.S., where renewable penetration remains lower. Wind and solar power increases electricity prices by; 90% of the capacity of traditional generators must remain operational to prevent system blackouts, backup facilities must be run at low utilization rates, and wind (and solar) systems require more and longer transmission power line than traditional power plants. As more wind systems are added to the power grid, residents should prepare for soaring electricity prices.

Credits to Friends of Science, Ken Gregory, P.Eng.
friendsofscience.org

Photo Credit to Fré Sonneveld
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