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Is electricity a fossil fuel?

AncientMariner

Is electricity a fossil fuel? Well, I would say yes if from coal, gas or oil fired plant and no from nuclear, solar, wind, hydro or wave.  But you don't know what comes through YOUR meter, it will be a mixture; so how does this announcement stand and is it doable?

https://www.deeside.com/welsh-government-to-ban-fossil-fuel-boilers-in-new-build-social-homes/

The use of fossil fuels to heat newly built social homes in Wales will end from October 1st, it has been announced.

That's not a lot of notice….

Clive

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    I can't imagine them banning electric heating, because you choose to call it a “fossil fuel”.

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    Is electricity a fossil fuel? 

    It's not really a fuel at all - more just a means of moving energy.

    In the short term removing fossil fuel burning appliances from new homes might just move the issue to the power station … but in the longer term (but well within the lifetime of the home) as grid-based generation moves more towards renewables then the overall carbon emissions to heat the home will reduce without the homeower having to replace anything.

    It'll likely encourage better levels of thermal insulation in newbuilds too .. which is where the real wins will come from.

       - Andy.

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    Certainly in the long term anything is possible, with time to upgrade infrastructure etc. However this announcement as reported, gives a start date of October 1st.

    This is not aimed at house owners, but for newly built social homes in Wales.

    Clive

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    gives a start date of October 1st.

    Presumably it'll be implemented through planning - (in the same way as other such requirements such as permeable paving/SUDS, CSH levels etc) - so projects that already has permission (or gains it before 1st Oct) can carry on as before.

       - Andy.

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    Aren't all fuels a means of moving (and storing) energy, save, arguably, nuclear? Fossil, wind, wave, all come from the Sun.

    Tenants of social housing are unlikely to be in a good position to afford the higher cost of electricity compared with gas, so this scheme is fine, provided that the dwellings are well-insulated. 

    And yes, some of the electricity will have come from fossil fuels and will continue to do so for some considerable time.

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