Wind Power Becoming too Cheap for Industry to Sustain Itself
The price of generating wind power has gotten so low, that companies may soon be unable to invest in additional technologies for the sector.
According to major turbine-making company Siemens Gamesa, the cost of wind power has recently dropped to such a low level that it can finally challenge the fossil fuel industry, mostly due to an abundance of investments in renewable energy. “What we’ve clearly achieved is that wind power is now cheaper than anything else,” said the company’s CEO Andreas Nauen as quoted by Reuters.
However, Nauen warned that “we shouldn’t make it too cheap,” because it could hinder the influx of additional investments in the green space. Across Europe, both wind and solar are substantially cheaper that natural gas, coal, and even nuclear power. And, with governments’ strong ambitions to adopt a climate friendly agenda, the demand for wind turbines has reached a record-high; but, the relatively lower prices and increased competition have also eroded away at producers’ margins.
“We have probably driven it too far,” said Nauen, adding that if prices continue to decline, the sector won’t be able to invest in further innovations. To make matters worse, accelerating global inflation for raw materials, coupled with supply shortages, also threatens to squeeze turbine makers’ margins. Moreover, governments around the world have begun eliminating generous wind subsidies in favour of more competitive contracts submitted by the lowest bids.
“We need to change auction systems in the future,” said Nauen, suggesting that local job creation should be governments’ top priority, rather than just the lowest price.
Information for this briefing was found via Reuters. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
