Also, with large thermal power stations you have other problems: * It is difficult to utilise heat that is a byproduct. * Energy is lost during transmission.

Also, with large thermal power stations you have other problems: * It is difficult to utilise heat that is a byproduct. * Energy is lost during transmission. If you need to burn fuel it can be more efficient to do so at the point of use. Small domestic gas boilers (Micro CHP)[0] are being designed to generate electricity, and can use the heat within the household. They have excellent thermal efficiency and can use existing pipeline networks. For the foreseeable future we need to burn fossil fuels to balance out renewable generation. Being able to do that efficiently is important. It also leaves the door open to green fuels, however far fetched that might be. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro_combined_heat_and_power https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro_combined_heat_and_power