> given that in a not so distant past the bulk of energy was produced from fossil fuel.

80% of energy used is in the world is from fossil fuel, and fossil fuel usage is still growing.

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/global-fossil-f...

Renewable are cheap when you have a coal/nuclear plant nearby for the days without wind or sun, and because solar panels are built in China. It's wrong to think that they could replace fossil fuel and still be cheap.