Wind+solar trade for coal fails, but shows the path forward

Guzman Energy has proposed to finance the early closure of most of 1.1 GW of coal generation in Colorado and New Mexico, as part of a deal to offer 1.2 GW of wind and solar generation, plus storage backed by gas. Tri-State Generation has declined the offer. Coal is a passing source of energy. Great Britain, the home of the coal-powered Industrial Revolution – a place where coal had been burnt continuously for five generations of humanity, has glimpsed its new path forward this year. In the United States, we saw 16 GW of coal retired last year, continuing the trend of no “net new” fossils since 2006. And across the country we are seeing electric utilities – even in those not politically inclined to do so – stating unequivocally that its time to trade out the fossils.