Kentucky regulators approve plan for 900% increase in renewable energy
Louisville Gas and Electric, along with Kentucky Utilities, have received approval from the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) for an ambitious plan. This plan involves retiring multiple fossil fuel plants and ushering in a significant shift towards renewable energy, primarily through the installation of 877 MW of solar power and 125 MW / 500 MWh of battery energy storage.
This initiative marks a substantial leap, representing a whopping 900% increase in renewable energy within their service areas. It’s a strategic move aimed at replacing the older coal-fired power plants and three natural gas-fired plants, which are deemed economically unviable due to the considerable costs required to bring them in line with federal environmental regulations.
Terrell Holder, chair of the Greater Louisville Group of the Sierra Club, highlighted the financial burden that customers would have shouldered due to the impracticality of sustaining these aging units. Holder stressed the importance of this transition, indicating that these retirements align with the new state law mandating PSC approval for fossil fuel facility retirements.
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The Sierra Club played a pivotal role in supporting the solar and battery storage projects. They conducted a study showcasing the coal plant failures during Winter Storm Elliott, which led to rolling blackouts. This incident underscored the unreliability of coal-fired power plants, further justifying the decision to phase them out.
Holder emphasized the necessity of closing these inefficient and unreliable units, particularly in light of their demonstrated shortcomings during critical weather events. Moreover, the Sierra Club is advocating for a broader investigation by the PSC into the potential benefits of the two utilities joining a regional organization. This move could potentially secure lower prices for customers and mitigate the risk of future winter blackouts.
Source – https://pv-magazine-usa.com/