Join Amar Vasdev, a senior associate at BNEF specializing in energy economics, and Martin Tengler, head of hydrogen research at BNEF, as they dive into the dynamic world of clean power. They highlight record-low costs of electricity from solar and wind while discussing hydrogen's unique position amidst these trends. Their conversation reveals the impact of geopolitical factors on hydrogen production, investment shifts, and the future of renewable energy economics, challenging listeners to rethink cost assessment in the evolving energy landscape.
The unprecedented reduction in levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for clean energy contrasts sharply with rising costs of green hydrogen production, highlighting a technology disparity.
China's dominance in renewable energy manufacturing not only contributes to lower electricity generation costs but also positions it as the leading exporter of green hydrogen.
Deep dives
Microsoft Security's Role in Cyber Protection
Microsoft Security plays a vital role in helping various industries, including automotive, sports, and banking, stay ahead of a staggering 600 million cyberattacks. By scanning trillions of digital signals daily, it provides businesses with deeper insights that facilitate proactive protection against potential threats. The service emphasizes a collaborative approach, underscoring that security is a shared responsibility between the provider and the organization. This partnership enables businesses to move forward confidently while maintaining robust security measures.
Record Low Costs for Clean Energy Technologies
In 2024, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for clean energy technologies reached record lows, driven by falling production costs across various sectors, including solar, wind, and energy storage. For instance, solar costs saw a remarkable 96% reduction since 2010, attributed to technological advancements and increased manufacturing capabilities, particularly in China. Furthermore, the oversupply of renewable energy equipment contributed to sustained low pricing, with projections indicating possible further reductions by 2035. This trend reflects a significant shift towards more economically viable clean energy solutions.
Hydrogen's Cost Challenges in the Energy Market
Hydrogen emerged as an outlier in the clean energy landscape, as the costs associated with producing green hydrogen have significantly increased due to rising equipment expenses. A notable example is the NEON project in Saudi Arabia, which saw its budget escalate from an anticipated $5 billion to over $8 billion due to unforeseen costs associated with large-scale electrolyzer projects. The rising prices of electrolyzers, coupled with the high production costs of green hydrogen, continue to challenge its adoption in the energy sector. Consequently, the recent increase in hydrogen-fired power plant costs by 64% raises concerns about its viability relative to other cleaner alternatives.
China's Dominance in Clean Energy Solutions
China has established itself as a frontrunner in clean energy technology manufacturing, leading to significantly lower costs for electricity generation from renewable sources compared to the global average. Reports indicate that the cost of a megawatt hour produced in China is 11 to 64% less than in other regions, underpinned by affordable renewable energy resources and efficient manufacturing capabilities. Notably, China has positioned itself as the cheapest producer of green hydrogen due to its lower production and electrolyzer costs. This competitive advantage allows China to potentially export hydrogen, further influencing global energy markets.
The cost of producing clean power has never been lower. Improving financial conditions and oversupply of key equipment drove costs to record lows in 2024. Yet while the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) declined as a global average, different regions and technologies fell at different rates, and one key technology proved to be an outlier. On this episode, Dana Perkins is joined by Amar Vasdev, a senior associate from BNEF’s energy economics team, and Martin Tengler, BloombergNEF’s head of hydrogen research, to discuss findings from the flagship report “Levelized Cost of Electricity 2025: Record Lows”.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com