Rewind back a decade, and fossil fuels were the cheapest form of energy almost everywhere on the planet. There were just three countries where wind power was out-competing coal and gas, and solar was always more expensive.
That changed fast. Over the next five years wind power became the cheapest form of energy generation in a dozen countries, including the UK and the US. Solar prices fell low enough that it became the cheapest form of power in Australia, India, Israel and handful of sunny countries.
Five years on again, and today renewable energy is racing ahead of fossil fuels in energy generation. According to IRENA, last year 91% of grid scale renewable energy projects were delivering power for a lower cost that the cheapest fossil fuel. As this graph shows, there have been spectacular falls in the price of concentrated solar power, solar PV and offshore wind. The falling price of solar means that it can now compete with fossil fuels well beyond countries with lots of sunshine.
Not that this is cutting through with everyone. Visiting Europe recently, the Trump went on one of his eccentric rambles about the evils of wind turbines, describing them as “the most expensive form of energy.” He has used executive orders to block wind power in the United States, including banning it from federal lands. This locks the country into more expensive energy.
The UK could make the same mistake at the next election. Reform has always stood against climate action and renewable energy, and the Conservatives have now joined them in this dead end. Reform, which is currently ahead of Labour in the polls (albeit years before any election) insist that net zero policies are keeping energy bills high. This is an opinion that is ten years out of date, but since Britain’s most popular newspapers are owned by men who also invest in fossil fuels, it often goes unchallenged.
To be fair to the British public, their bills don’t reflect the falling price of renewable energy. UK energy prices are still pegged to the price of gas, keeping them artificially high. Reducing household energy bills is an urgent political priority, so that ordinary voters see the benefit of all that free wind and sun. If we fail to do that, the next election may well overturn decades of progress, and the UK would miss out on something that many others around the world are discovering – that renewable energy, in the long term, is almost always cheaper.
The Earthbound Report 
Brought a copy of your book with me on a recent trip to the U.K., and gave it to someone who lives in your town! Was disappointed to see Earthbound Books is not brick and mortar! Would have paid you a visit!
Interesting post- the fact that the price of renewable energy is falling is brilliant news. Unfortunately (in my rather strong opinion), ‘popularist’; politicians are persisting with their narrative to keep their multimillionaire mates happy. Meaning that wealthy shareholders in companies like shell will continue to get wealthier (sorry for the rant btw).