2 verifications about renewable energy sources renewable energy sources ×
“As of March 1, 2026, renewable energy sources are more expensive per kilowatt-hour than fossil fuels in most major economies.”
This claim is false. As of early 2026, authoritative data from IRENA, BloombergNEF, and Lazard consistently show that renewable energy — particularly onshore wind (~$0.034/kWh) and solar PV (~$0.043/kWh) — is cheaper per kilowatt-hour than fossil fuels ($0.08–$0.17/kWh) for new electricity generation in most major economies. IRENA reports that 91% of newly commissioned utility-scale renewable projects undercut the cheapest fossil fuel alternatives. The claim inverts the actual cost relationship.
“Many developing nations are increasingly choosing coal power over renewable energy sources due to economic and reliability concerns.”
The claim exaggerates a real but narrow trend. While coal capacity has expanded in India and parts of Southeast Asia due to economic and reliability concerns, 87–92% of new coal capacity is concentrated in just China and India — not broadly across "many" developing nations. Moreover, coal power actually fell in both countries in 2025 for the first time in 52 years, and renewables overtook coal globally. Most developing nations are not increasingly choosing coal over renewables; the dominant trajectory is toward clean energy.