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Utah official backs 'Operation Gigawatt' push to boost energy production, highlights big solar-plus-battery project
Summary
In a recorded interview, a Utah state official and an Institute for Progress representative discussed 'Operation Gigawatt'—a state goal to increase energy production—citing a newly opened large solar-plus-battery project and arguing for an 'all of the above' approach that pairs renewables with dispatchable power.
A Utah state official urged a broad expansion of energy production Friday, describing 'Operation Gigawatt' as a push to ramp up both traditional and next‑generation sources while keeping power affordable and reliable. The official said the state recently cut the ribbon on what will be the largest under‑construction solar development in the country paired with battery backup, which he argued allows that solar power to be dispatched when needed.
The Institute for Progress representative praised the Operation Gigawatt concept and stressed that falling solar and battery costs have made solar-plus-storage an increasingly reliable option. "We shouldn't have a blind faith in net‑zero goals by a certain year," the representative said, adding that energy policy should prioritize "reliable, abundant" energy. Both speakers framed the strategy as complementary: build more renewable generation while maintaining dispatchable baseload options, including nuclear and geothermal. The conversation also flagged national security and economic arguments for domestic energy supply as central to the state's agenda.
