Generation doesn't have to be near consumption. If weather is bad in the PNW power can be move to it from other parts of the country. Texas does this with massive transmission lines that where built crisscrossing the state in the late 90's and 00's. These transmission lines allowed for a massive expansion in wind and solar without large subsidies because the electricity could be moved to wear it was needed and sold on the open market (the state operates an real time auction market to balance to help balance supply and demand). Today the state has more wind and solar than coal. Something like 30-40% of the states electricity comes from renewables.
* As long as the generation and consumption both take place under the same government and the transmission infrastructure is safe from disruption.
So many plans about theoretical continental grids in Europe (with the extra mile of them being powered by solar in Africa) ignore the political reality that no government is going to give up significant chunks of the energy security of their country to something ouside their control.
