A global fight against climate change has intensified since the late 20th century, with renewable energy as a key strategy. We hear a lot about the successes of renewable energy – the reality is not as impressive as portrayed.
While we are sold the dream of clean, limitless power, the hard truth is that renewable energy cannot effectively replace fossil fuels yet. The transition is possible, but only if we confront the present realities head-on and invest in the right solutions. Now, let us discuss these realities and how we might overcome them.
The need for reliability
Renewable energies still fall short on the scale of reliability. Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and some parts of southern France learned this lesson in April 2025 when the Iberian Peninsula was thrown into a total blackout following the unforeseen failure of its solar plants. The Peninsula’s energy crisis revived skepticism over the reliability of renewable energy.
Interestingly, this skepticism has been strong since February 2021, when the renewable energy infrastructure of Texas collapsed during a winter storm. Texas generates about 18.6% of its power from renewables, but when temperatures plunged, its solar panels became useless, reflecting a fundamental flaw in a technology that depends entirely on the whims of weather.
Little wonder that countries that have spent billions of dollars on adopting alternative energy still back it up with a higher percentage of energy derived from fossil fuels. However, this does not mean renewables can never be reliable – but to get there, we would need massive investment in energy storage technologies, grid modernization through decentralized microgrids, and smarter distribution systems.
These technologies would help ensure renewables remain viable even in extreme conditions.
The need for affordability
Alternative energy is also currently unaffordable, and the reason is simple: taking into account today’s economic realities, the cost implications of replacing fossil fuels with alternative energy are beyond realizable and affordable.
Energy economist Robert Lyman found that building renewable energy plants costs a staggering 30 times more than natural gas plants. Solar farms are 14 times more expensive to build. To add salt to the injury, the figures above represent the reality before you add the hidden costs of backup generators, massive battery storage systems, and upgraded transmission lines.
Indeed, many states would think twice before embarking on such a financial commitment. Nevertheless, history shows that new technologies often start expensive before subsidies, improved tech, and innovation drive costs down.
With the right policy incentives, renewables could become far more affordable in the coming decades.
The need for efficiency
Renewables are still far from being efficient. Germany went all-in on renewables; however, their solar plants operate at just 11% capacity, and wind farms at 17%. In 2012, after building hundreds of new wind turbines, their actual wind power output decreased.
Let that sink in – more investment, worse results. Meanwhile, traditional power plants operate at 80% efficiency or better.
So, if more investments led to a decline in output and efficiency, we can reverse this if we invest in research that improves storage systems and hybrid power models that blend solar, wind, and hydro power sources with minimal fossil fuel support.
The right mix of investment and research could make all the difference.
The need for land
To power the entire U.S. with solar energy, we would need to cover an area roughly the size of Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, and New Jersey with solar panels.
What happens to that land? It is gone – no farming, no homes, no parks. That would simply mean we would be sacrificing our children’s future living space to chase renewable energy dreams.
This reality would contrast with the World Commission on Environment and Development’s definition of sustainable development – meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
However, what if we didn’t have to choose? Rooftop solar installations, offshore wind farms, and integrating panels into infrastructure (roads, buildings) could significantly reduce land use concerns.
With better urban planning and policy support, renewables could expand without displacing other critical needs.
The need for clean energy
Some renewable sources are not as clean as advertised. Renewable biomass energy involves burning organic material. Smoke is smoke, whether it is coming from coal or wood chips.
Surely, we are not going to pretend that slightly less pollution makes ineffective energy suddenly effective. True sustainability means moving beyond combustion altogether.
The goal should not be just “renewable” energy—it should be clean, reliable, and scalable energy.
The need for policies and investments
Whether we admit it or choose not to admit it, fossil fuels work – currently. They are reliable, affordable, and significantly efficient. Until renewable energy can match that trifecta without bankrupting us or turning half the country into a solar panel farm, all this talk about replacement is just that – talk.
Nevertheless, with the right investments, policies, and technological breakthroughs, that future is within reach. The future may belong to renewables, but that future is not here yet, and getting there will require honesty about the challenges, not blind optimism or defeatism. We need policy, persistence, and patience to get there.
The truth hurts, but we need to hear it: Renewable energy is not ready for prime time today, but with determination and innovation, it could be sooner than we think.
Yetunde is smart, kind, and has a lovable personality. A constant learner with an impressive work ethic and terrific creative skills. She is devoted to personal and spiritual growth and she cherishes the company of people, books, and nature.
