This is a false dilemma, yes we absolutely need more clean energy, and yes reducing energy usage is also a good thing to do in many instances. Automotive and aeronautic engineers can tell you about that given how many billions have been invested in making engines consume less.

Should I leave my AC at 65 while I’m on vacation for a month just to save myself the trouble of pressing a button, then tell anyone who calls me out that it’s society’s fault for not producing enough clean energy and I bear no responsibility whatsoever?

Burning 500B token for a fun unsharable side project is a simple choice someone made with (presumably) no gun to their head.