If you're a MAGA type, then seeing China top the list
of new renewable capacity additions may also not seem like the best news.
NTPC reduced coal operating costs by ending foreign coal imports in 2017, but its electricity prices are still higher than solar and wind generation, so
adding new renewable capacity is cheaper than building new coal.
State renewable portfolio standards require utilities to
bring new renewable capacity onto their grids no matter how much it depresses markets, and renewable subsidies further erode electricity prices, especially in Midwestern states where subsidized wind farms bid very low — even negative — prices for their power.
What it doesn't say is the proportion of turnover or profit which goes towards renewable new build and I agree with Dale this is the crucial need in society: i.e.
building new renewable capacity (and building it quickly).
In addition to continued growth in utility scale and distributed photovoltaic solar with battery storage, White foresees a continued wide mix
of new renewables capacity.
Going beyond what is seen as feasible through fuel switching and a smooth integration of
new renewable capacity is another matter, especially if it means taking away a big part of the revenue windfall the utilities have mentally already booked for those free allowances (since many less would be available to them).
Through eleven solicitations, the Main Tier has 81 active projects under contract totaling 2,421 MW of
new renewable capacity.