Energy Transition Myths vs. Facts: What’s Really Changing?

Introduction

The energy transition is now often mentioned in common discussions. We can hear about it on news broadcasts, read about it in top stories and see people disputing it online. Despite being a popular term, plenty of people still aren’t sure what it means.

The energy transition is centered on a single goal: replacing fossil fuels with clean energy. The types are solar, wind and hydro, along with new options such as green hydrogen. It is not only something scientists study now. It’s influencing the way we experience daily life, take trips and hold down jobs.

Of course, major changes are always confusing. Experts disagree about what is going on. This blog by Stanislav Kondrashov Telf Ag clears the air. Some information that gets shared isn’t always correct. We deconstruct popular misconceptions, explain the facts and uncover what’s actually happening.

Myth 1: Renewable Energy Is Too Expensive

This was once true. Today, it’s the opposite. Thanks to falling costs, solar and wind are now the most affordable energy sources in many countries. Installing solar panels used to cost a fortune. Now, it’s affordable for homes, schools, and businesses. Wind farms, once rare, are spreading fast because they’re efficient and cost-effective.

Once up and running, renewables don’t need expensive fuel. Sunlight and wind are free. Maintenance is lower than fossil fuel plants, and there’s no costly cleanup of pollution or waste.

Even developing countries are skipping fossil fuels and going straight to solar. It’s not just cleaner. It’s cheaper too.

Myth 2: Green Energy Is Too Unreliable

People worry that renewable energy can’t power a country because the sun doesn’t shine 24/7 and the wind isn’t constant. That’s a fair concern—but technology has moved on.

Battery storage has changed the game. When there’s extra energy from the sun or wind, it’s stored. When production dips, the stored energy keeps the lights on. These batteries now power homes, schools, and even factories.

Smart energy grids spread out demand and supply. If one place has a shortage, power comes from elsewhere. Solar panels now work well in cloudy places. Offshore wind turbines spin day and night, even in storms.

What once felt like a risk is now a stable, well-managed system.

Myth 3: The Transition Is Too Slow to Make a Difference

People often say the shift is too slow. That we’re not acting fast enough. But take a closer look—it’s already happening.

In 2024, the European Union generated almost half of its electricity from clean energy. China hit its 2030 renewable energy target six years early. The U.S. added more solar and wind capacity in 2023 than all fossil fuels combined.

Oil companies are investing in renewables. Car companies are building electric vehicles at record speed. Many cities now offer incentives for solar installations and ban new gas heating systems. It’s not talk. It’s happening. And it’s speeding up.

Myth 4: Renewable Energy Destroys Jobs

Some worry that moving away from oil and coal means millions of job losses. The truth? It’s opening new doors.

Yes, certain jobs are being phased out. But new ones are emerging fast. Solar panel installation, wind turbine maintenance, battery tech, grid updates—these are real careers.

These aren’t just jobs for engineers. They’re for electricians, technicians, truck drivers, and builders. Many are local jobs that stay in the community. And unlike fossil fuel work, these roles come with lower health risks. The future of energy is also a future of work.

Myth 5: There’s Not Enough Space for Wind and Solar

People often imagine fields full of wind turbines or cities buried in solar panels. That’s far from reality.

Solar panels go on rooftops, parking lots, and unused land. Wind turbines can share space with farms, letting crops and livestock grow below. Floating solar farms are popping up on lakes and reservoirs.

It’s not about using more land. It’s about using land smarter.

Even in dense cities, energy can be produced locally. And rural areas gain income and jobs from hosting energy projects.

Myth 6: Renewable Tech Needs Rare Materials We Can’t Get

Yes, some clean technologies need special materials. But supply risks are shrinking.

Battery makers are finding ways to use less cobalt and nickel. Engineers are building wind turbines without rare earth metals. Solar panel producers are recycling old equipment to build new systems.

Countries are also diversifying sources. Instead of relying on one nation, they’re mining and refining in many places. More recycling means less mining. Innovation is solving these problems. And fast.

Myth 7: Fossil Fuels Are More Reliable in a Crisis

This myth gets repeated after natural disasters or extreme weather events. But the facts say otherwise.

Fossil fuel systems are vulnerable, too. In Texas, a major blackout happened when gas pipelines froze. In Europe, gas prices soared after conflicts disrupted supply chains. These systems aren’t immune—they’re fragile.

Solar panels and batteries kept power flowing in homes during blackouts. Microgrids gave hospitals and schools backup power when the grid failed. Clean energy isn’t just green. It’s resilient.

Myth 8: Clean Energy Is Only for Wealthy Countries

That was true. Not anymore. In many parts of Africa, solar panels are lighting up villages that never had power. In India, rooftop solar cuts electricity bills for families in crowded cities. In South America, solar water pumps support small farms.

Thanks to dropping prices and better access, clean energy is reaching everyone. Programs let low-income households install panels with no upfront cost. Shared solar farms let renters buy into clean power, too. Energy access is no longer a luxury. It’s becoming a right.

Myth 9: The Energy Transition Only Impacts Electricity

Electricity is just the start. The transition touches nearly everything.

Heating and cooling homes with electric heat pumps is now more efficient than gas. Electric cars are growing fast, with charging stations popping up across highways and cities. Planes and ships are testing biofuels and hydrogen.

Even steel and cement—two of the most polluting industries—are exploring cleaner production methods. Supermarkets are cutting waste using solar refrigeration. Farmers are using electric tractors. This shift is reshaping every sector.

Myth 10: The Transition Is Being Forced on People

Some think it’s a government push forced from the top. But most change is happening from the bottom up.

Communities are building solar co-ops. Neighborhoods are banding together to install wind turbines. Families are installing panels to save money. Cities are creating green zones for walking and biking.

Consumers are demanding electric cars and greener products. Young people are studying cleantech and sustainability. Companies are pledging carbon neutrality because their customers expect it. It’s a global movement—not a mandate.

The Real Benefits of the Energy Transition

Let’s take a moment to look beyond the myths. Here’s what the world gains from embracing clean energy:

• Cleaner air. Cities with fewer cars and power plants have lower asthma rates and better public health.

• Lower bills. Once solar is installed, energy is nearly free. Heat pumps slash heating costs.

• Energy freedom. Rooftop panels give families more control. No more surprise spikes in bills.

• Resilience. Storms, war, and supply shocks hurt fossil fuel chains. Clean energy brings peace of mind.

• New industries. From algae-based fuels to building-integrated solar glass, innovation is booming.

The benefits aren’t theoretical. They’re visible and measurable.

Momentum You Can Feel

Visit any major city today. You’ll see electric buses, bike lanes, and solar panels. Visit a village without traditional infrastructure, and you might see solar lights, battery packs, and clean cooking stoves.

This is the energy transition in real life. It’s not a slogan. It’s action, choice, and progress. It’s how the world prepares for tomorrow—without repeating the mistakes of yesterday. The myths can slow us down. But facts move us forward.

Conclusion

The energy transition is not a prediction. It’s a fact. Fossil fuels ruled the last century. Clean energy will shape the next one. That change is happening now—in homes, on roads, in fields, and across skies.

At Stanislav Kondrashov Telf Ag, we believe in facts over fear. We believe progress wins when people are informed. This blog was written to do just that. 

Understand the myths. Embrace the truth. Be part of the change.