Overview
- The Department of Energy said on X that wind and solar infrastructure is “essentially worthless” when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, echoing Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s remarks on intermittency.
- Elon Musk replied “Um … hello?” and highlighted Tesla’s utility‑scale battery projects, including a 370‑megawatt‑hour installation in Australia designed to stabilize the grid and shift renewable power to when it is needed.
- X users added a community note pointing out that batteries store electricity for use when generation dips, underscoring a basic capability of modern grids.
- PolitiFact rated the DOE claim False after experts explained that storage and other tools integrate variable renewables into power systems, while noting that batteries add costs and are less economical for long seasonal storage.
- The controversy comes as the Trump administration cancels or withholds support for projects, including $679 million tied to offshore wind and a stop‑work order on a nearly finished Rhode Island project, with additional halts to new wind and solar approvals reported.