Does the power have to be stable and consistent - absolutely. Its a result of bad planning and short term thinking that they didn't invest in better in previous years. However, going forward there is a sea change in technology and it would again be bad planning and short term thinking if renewables and battery power were not considered in assessing the power mix going forward.
My larger concern is China is dominating the rest of the world in renewables and batteries which will end up being the lowest cost power generators. Everyone is at their mercy as to whether they will export their tech. That is the way it is looking like it will end up which is unfortunate and potentially very costly long term.
Pretty sure the US govt helped Henry Ford along by building roads and the interstate system. Would have really slowed the uptake of automobiles if they had to ride along dirt roads.
