Capital cost

Now that 95% of the baby boomers have retired, the push for wind and solar has diminished and fossil fuels are a better option. People in their fifties and early sixties are at their highest earnings and have lots of cash to invest for retirement. This means lots of capital available for investment. After retirement they go conservative with their money and move into bonds, real estate and cash. Wind and solar use most of their cost in the building of the project and long-term cost are very low. (sun and wind are free). Gas and coal plant require only 15% of their cost up front for construction but long-term cost pay for the operation. (coal and gas are not free). The cost of capital today is 31% higher than just five years ago and thus is giving the edge to fossil fuels. This also effects nuclear power since most of its cost is up front unless the government moves some of its incentive funds away from solar and to nuclear. Interest rates will only come down if productivity goes up. New more efficient manufacturing facilities along with the new technology promised by AI could do the job.