Reading Mark Pearson’s Feb. 15 guest column headlined “Regional Energy Transformation Accelerates” made me wonder – when did mathematics change? Pearson wrote of the closure of San Juan Generating Station that produced 1,848 megawatts of electricity. He assured readers that clean energy replacement of this vital commodity was here. A 200 MW solar array slated near the site of the San Juan Plant. Two other solar arrays under construction will provide 350 MW of electricity.
Yes, neighbors and friends! “The one-for-one swap of solar for coal crystallizes our region’s energy transformation,” Pearson said. Replacing the 1,848 MW of power (produced 24/7) is 550 MW of solar power (once constructed and only when the sun is shining). Admittedly, I learned mathematics a long time ago. Back then, my teacher would tell me that 550 does not equal 1,848. I learned that 550 is less than 30% of 1,848. But hey, maybe it’s “new” math.
I have nothing against renewable energy generation. But promoters continue to perpetuate a blatantly false narrative that we can switch off fossil fuel sources and renewables will be there to take up the load. Exacerbating the deficit is everyone being encouraged/pushed to use more electricity in the form of all electric appliances, electric heating and electric cars.
The rush to turn off fossil fuel base load generation before a viable replacement has been constructed and online is foolhardy. A reasoned and careful approach must be taken or we’ll be sitting in the dark.
Barry Lausman
Ignacio
