Impact of Russo-Ukrainian War on US: Delaying solar projects andpostponing coal plant shutdowns

The Russian war on Ukraine has left its effects on all aspects of life, most notably extending the life of coal plants and delaying US solar energy projects, as well as the return of global demand for the worst and most polluting fuels.

Ambitious renewable energy plans and the transition to clean energy have recently begun to face difficulties and challenges with the postponement of the shutdown of coal plants in the United States.

The renewable energy that was supposed to replace US coal plantsreceived a severe blow during the past months due to the disruption in supply chains as a result of the corona pandemic, according to Reuters.

Solar projects in the US experienced delays during the first half of 2022 due to supply chain disruptions and a US Department of Commerce investigation into tariff circumvention on China. It has become difficult to keep pace with the strong demand for electricity after the US Department of Commerce imposed tariffs on imports of solar panels, according to Clean Technica.

The US Energy Information Administration said in a report issued on August 11 that the US saw the installation of 4.2 gigawatts of utility-scale solar energy in the first six months of this year. This is less than half of the previously planned capacity.

According to the report, the delay rate for solar energy projects in the US during the first half of the year amounted to 20%, compared to an average of 17% for 2021.

Extending the life of US coal plants

At the head of US coal plants was a coal-fired power plant on the beach in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It is expected to extend its presence until mid-2025 rather than a scheduled closure during 2022, according to Reuters.

Alliant Energy's 400-megawatt Edgewater plant is one of at least six across the country that this summer announced delays or possible delays to planned shutdowns. They cited concerns about energy shortages.

The same company also decided to extend the life of the Columbia Energy Center plant, with a capacity of 1.1 gigawatts, located in Portage, until June 2026, a delay of nearly 18 months.

WEC Energy Group has delayed the shutdown of the remaining 1,135-megawatt Oak Creek power plant near Milwaukee by about 18 months to May 2024 and late 2025.

In Nebraska, the Omaha Public Electricity Department will vote on August 18 on a resolution to extend the life of the 645-megawatt North Omaha plant until 2026, a delay of up to three years.

The situation in New Mexico is no different. BNM Resources has postponed the shutdown of a unit at its San Juan station by three months until September 2022. This happened after drought threatened hydropower supplies and temperatures increased demand for electricity.

Despite the delays or potential delays to US coal plants, all companies have confirmed their commitment to their long-term voluntary goals on carbon emissions from burning coal. Burning coal generates more carbon dioxide than any other fossil fuel, and it also releases nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, as well as smog that harms the lungs and heart.

Delaying renewable energy projects blamed

Indiana's Nisource has blamed a solar project delay of up to 18 months for delaying the shutdown of the 877-megawatt Schaffer coal plant by two years until 2025, according to Washington Examiner.

There are various reasons for delays in solar projects, including general economic factors such as supply chain constraints, labor shortages, high component prices and power plant project-specific factors such as obtaining permits, according to PV Magazine USA. 

In February, the United States raised tariffs on crystalline silicon used in solar energy imported from China. This caused the tariff rate to increase from 2.5 to 5 gigawatts, with the bifacial panels being excluded from the fee extension, according to Clean Technica.

Solar projects in the United States have also been negatively affected by the US Department of Commerce's announcement of an investigation into allegations of defrauding anti-dumping duties imposed on China by Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, from which Washington imports solar cells and modules.

In June, the US administration decided to suspend import duties for solar cells and modules for two years by Asian countries involved in the investigation, according to Solar Quarter.

Is the US failing to switch to clean energy?

According to the US Energy Information Administration, in general, wind energy constituted the largest share of installed electricity generation capacity in the United States during the first half of 2022, at about 5.2 gigawatts. It is followed by natural gas (4.3 GW), solar energy (4.2 GW), and electricity storage batteries (1.4 GW).

It is difficult to estimate the health effects of coal plant emissions on citizens in specific areas because the wind disperses the pollutants released by tall chimneys. Pollution from vehicles and industry also harms air quality, according to Reuters.

According to the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, Milwaukee County and parts of Sheboygan County have failed to comply with revised US ozone standards since 2018.

University of Wisconsin air quality scientist Tracey Hollaway told Reuters that coal plants, even if they are in areas that meet federal standards, can cause health problems.

As for extending the life of US coal plants, she made it clear that keeping these plants does not help solve the problem.

“Delaying US coal plant shutdowns does not portend a return to coal use,” Michael Thomas, assistant professor of energy systems at the University of Michigan in the US, told Jusoor Post. He cited the closing or plans to close nearly 360 coal plants in recent years, compared to about 170 that are still operating.

On the other hand, Thomas sees the delay as a sign of failure in planning for the development of the required clean energy.

US President Joe Biden's goals of cutting emissions by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030 and decarbonizing the power sector by 2035 will likely depend on further shutdowns of US coal plants, according to the White House.

“Biden's plan will get enough support if the US House of Representatives decides to follow the Senate's lead in passing the Inflation Reduction Act, which would cut emissions by about 40% by 2030,” according to the energy systems expert.

“The US coal industry has come under fire amid an influx of cheap natural gas, low prices for renewables, and regulations stifling pollutants that cause direct health problems and carbon dioxide risks,” Thomas said.

“US coal plants produced about 20% of electricity in 2021, down from about 50% in 2006. However, continuing to reduce emissions will not be easy,” he added.

“It is imperative that we increase accountability for utilities, regulators and planners to ensure the electricity sector shifts away from coal,” Thomas said.