In this brief interview, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz reiterates his support for nuclear power while acknowledging that its “long term trajectory remains quite uncertain” in the U.S. More surprisingly, Moniz predicts that renewables will supply 30-40 percent of U.S. power by 2030. That’s a lowball figure for the more optimistic among us, who believe it can, should and will be higher than that; but it is the highest estimate ever provided by a sitting Energy Secretary. And at 40%, that’s twice as much power as nuclear supplies today. The trend is clear.
One small indication that renewables will be higher: states increasing their renewable energy standards: in this case, it’s Rhode Island, which is considering increasing its standard fivefold by 2020 (that would give Rhode Island still a relatively low 11% by that date, but 2020 isn’t that far away anymore).
And one large indication that renewables will be higher: a new report from Morgan Stanley suggests that the U.S. could have 129 Gigawatts of solar power installed, not by 2030–but by 2018.
Michael Mariotte
Permalink: https://www.nirs.org/the-trend-is-clear-even-secretary-moniz-admits-renewables-outpacing-nuclear/
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