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Home / IAS Preparation / Thermal Power Plant

Thermal Power Plants In India - Types, State Wise List, Benefits, Issues, Efficiency And More

Last Updated on Jan 07, 2024
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The Thermal Power Plant in India is responsible for electricity generation throughout the country. Electricity is generated when large amounts of fossil fuels are burnt daily in thermal power stations to heat water to produce steam, which further runs the turbine. Electricity transmission is more effective than transporting coal or petroleum over the same distance. As a result, many thermal power plants are established near coal or oil fields. The term thermal power plant is used because fuel is burnt to produce heat energy that is in turn converted into electrical energy.

Source: WBPDCL

The Thermal Power Plant in India is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the geography subject in the Mains General Studies Paper-1 syllabus and General Studies Paper-1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.

In this article, we shall study an overview of different types of Thermal Power plants in India UPSC.

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What is a Thermal Power Plant?

A Thermal Power Plant is a mechanism instituted to convert heat energy to electric power / Energy for domestic and commercial use. During the production of electricity, Steam-operated turbines transform heat into mechanical and then electric power. In thermal power plants, steam is produced at high pressure and temperature using the heat energy produced through solid fuel combustion (most often coal). The turbine shaft connected to the generator rotates with the help of this steam. The generator transforms the turbine impeller’s kinetic energy into electric energy.

Working of a Thermal Power Plant

  • Fuel Combustion: Fuel, such as coal, natural gas, or oil, is burned in the boiler. The combustion of the fuel releases heat, which is transferred to the water in the boiler.
  • Steam Generation: The heat from the combustion of the fuel turns the water in the boiler into steam. The steam is then superheated, which further increases its pressure and temperature.
  • Steam Expansion: The superheated steam is then directed onto the blades of the turbine. The high-pressure steam expands and forces the turbine blades to rotate.
  • Electricity Generation: The turbine is connected to a generator. It will convert the mechanical energy of the rotating turbine into electrical energy. This electrical energy is then transmitted to the power grid.
  • Condensation and Reuse: The steam that has passed through the turbine is then directed to the condenser. The condenser cools the steam back into water, which is then pumped back to the boiler to start the cycle again.

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Types of Thermal Power Plants in India

Thermal Fuel is required by thermal power plants to produce electricity. The power plants are built for commercial use on a big scale and are intended for system reliability. There are many types of thermal plants in India, which are classified according to the source of heat. Some of them are listed below.

Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant

Coal-fired thermal plants used coal as the source. In India, power is produced using conventional sources such as thermal, nuclear, and hydropower and renewable sources like wind, solar, biomass, etc. Even though a large portion of the electricity is produced, roughly 75% of the total is produced using coal-fired thermal power plants.

According to the Central Electricity Authority, India generated 103.66 billion units of electricity in December 2020. The Ministry of Coal reports that India will add the newest thermal power plants from 2017 to 18, totalling 7,010 MW in the fiscal year 2022–23. Some coal-fired power plants are located in Korba in Chhattisgarh, Singrauli in Uttar Pradesh, and Kahalgaon in Bihar.

Gas Thermal Power Plant

The fuel sources in gas thermal power plants are gases or oils. A thermal power station that burns natural gas to produce electricity is known as a gas-fired power station or a natural gas power plant. India has a total built capacity for gas-based electricity of 24.824 GW, of which 14.3 GW, distributed among 31 gas-based facilities, is still “stranded.”Diesel or Liquid fuel

Geothermal Thermal Power Plant

Underground fluids are used by geothermal power plants to generate heat. According to the Geological Survey of India, there are approximately 340 geothermal hot springs in India. Most of them have low surface temperatures, between 37 to 90 degrees Celsius, making them ideal for direct heat applications. India’s first geothermal power plant is about to be set up in Ladakh.

Biomass Thermal Power Plants

Heat from biomass thermal power is generated using bagasse, rice husk, straw, cotton stalk, coconut shells, soya husk, etc. Biomass has traditionally been a significant source of energy for India. It is abundant, carbon-neutral, renewable, and has the potential to significantly increase employment in rural regions.

Moreover, biomass is able to produce stable energy. More than 70% of the population of the country relies on biomass for its energy needs, and the country still derives about 32% of its primary energy from it. Some examples of biomass thermal power plants are Khatauli in Uttar Pradesh and Sarvaraya in Andhra Pradesh.

Nuclear Thermal Power Plants

Nuclear power plants use nuclear fission to generate heat, and A nuclear power plant’s operation phase typically lasts the longest during its entire cycle. Apsara Research Reactor in Mumbai is the first nuclear reactor in Asia. As of 2022, there are 22 operational nuclear thermal power plants in India.

Study in detail about Geothermal Energy with the linked article!

State-wise List of Thermal Power Plants in India

The table below shows the list of thermal power plants in India.

List of Thermal Power Plants in India

State

Thermal Power Plant

Tamil Nadu
  • Neyveli New Thermal Power Station
  • North Chennai Thermal Power Station
  • Ennore Thermal Power Station
  • Mettur Thermal Power Station
  • Tuticorin Thermal Power Station
  • IND Barath Thermal Power Plant

Telangana
  • Telangana Super Thermal Power Project
  • Kakatiya Thermal Power Station
  • Singareni Thermal Power Project
  • Kothagudem Thermal Power Station

Maharashtra
  • Nashik Thermal Power Station
  • Khaperkheda Thermal Power Station
  • Tiroda Thermal Power Plant
  • Paras Thermal Power Station
  • Amravati Thermal Power plant
  • Chandrapur Thermal Power plant
  • Solapur Super Thermal Power Station
  • Mauda Super Thermal Power Plant

Haryana
  • Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Project
  • Gorakhpur Atomic Super Thermal Power Station
  • Deenbandhu Chottu Ram Super Thermal Power Station
  • Panipat Thermal Power Station

Rajasthan
  • Barsingsar Lignite Power Plant
  • Chhabra Thermal Power Plant
  • Rajwest Lignite Power Plant
  • Suratgarh Super Thermal Power Station
  • Anta Thermal Power Station
  • Ramgarh Gas Thermal Power Station
  • Kalisindh Thermal Power plant
  • Kota Thermal Power plant

Odisha
  • IB Thermal Power Plant
  • Talcher Super Thermal Power Station
  • Vedanta Aluminum Company Captive Power Plant
  • Jharsuguda Thermal Power Plant
  • Hirakud Captive Thermal Power plant

Delhi
  • Indraprastha Power Station
  • Badarpur Thermal Power Plant
  • Rajghat Power Station
  • Pragati Thermal Power Plant

Bihar
  • Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Plant
  • Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Station.
  • Kanti Thermal Power Station.
  • Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Station

Andhra Pradesh
  • Simhadri Super Thermal Power Plant
  • Dr Narla Taatarao Thermal Power Station
  • Sri Damodaram Sanjeeviah Thermal Power Station NTPC Ramagundam
  • Kakatiya Thermal Power Plant

Chhattisgarh
  • Korba Super Thermal Power Station
  • Sipat Thermal Power Plant
  • Bhilai Expansion Power Plant
  • Dr Shyama Prakash Mukharjee Thermal Power Plant
  • Lara Super Thermal Power Plant

Assam
  • Namrup Thermal Power Station
  • Lakwa Thermal Power Station
  • Bongaigaon Thermal Power Project
  • Karbi Langpi Hydro Electric Project

Jharkhand
  • Patratu Thermal Power Station
  • National Thermal Power Corporation
  • Chandrapura Thermal Power Station
  • Bokaro Thermal Power Station

Gujarat
  • Wanakbori Thermal Power Plant
  • Sikka Thermal Power Station
  • Kutch Lignite Thermal Power Station
  • Dhuvaran Thermal Power Station
  • Gandhinagar Thermal Power plant
  • Mudra Thermal Power plant
  • Ukai Thermal Power plant
  • Akrimota Thermal Power Station
  • Sabarmati Thermal Power Station

Madhya Pradesh
  • Jaypee Bina thermal power plant
  • Sanjay Gandhi Thermal Power Station
  • Satpura Thermal Power Station
  • Amarkantak Thermal Power Station
  • Shri Singaji Thermal Power Station Dongalia
  • Vindhyachal Thermal Power Station
  • Singrauli Super Thermal Power Station

Karnataka
  • KPCL Raichur Thermal Power Plant
  • Yermarus Thermal Power Station
  • Bellary Thermal Power station
  • Udupi Thermal Power Plant

Uttar Pradesh
  • Anpara Thermal Power plant
  • Dadri Thermal Power plant
  • Feroz Gandhi Unchahar Thermal Power plant
  • National Capital Thermal Power plant
  • Obra Thermal Power plant
  • Rihand Super Thermal Power plant
  • Rosa Thermal Power plant

West Bengal
  • Durgapur Thermal Power plant
  • Farakka Thermal Power plant
  • Mejia Thermal Power Station
  • Kolaghat Thermal Power Station
  • Bakreshwar Thermal Power Station
  • Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station
  • Budge Budge Thermal Power Plant
  • Sagardighi Thermal Power Station

Also, check out the article on Public sector undertakings(PSUs) for UPSC preparation!

About Major Thermal Plants India - In Brief

Thermal power plants account for more than 65% of India’s energy-producing capacity, with coal accounting for 85% of this capacity. Some of the major thermal plants in India are discussed below.

Vindhyachal Thermal Power Station – Biggest Thermal Power Plant of India

  • Vindhyachal Thermal Power Station is the biggest thermal power plant in India and the 9th largest coal-fired thermal power station in the world.
  • It is located in the Singrauli district of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
  • Vindhyachal super thermal power station is owned by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and is a 4,760MW coal-fired power station.
  • Water from the adjoining Singrauli thermal power station’s discharge canal is used by the Vindhyachal thermal power station.

Mundra Thermal Power Station – 2nd Biggest Thermal Power Plant of India

  • Mundra Thermal Power Station is the second-largest thermal power plant in India.
  • It is located in Shiracha, Kutch district of the Indian state of Gujarat.
  • Mundra Thermal Power Plant is a coal-based thermal plant with a power generating capacity of 4,620MW.
  • This is the first supercritical thermal project in the world to be registered as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Sasan Ultra Mega Power Plant

  • Sasan Ultra Mega Power Plant is the largest integrated power generation plant in Indi, and it is owned by Reliance Power Limited.
  • It has a coal mine project with a 3,960 MW power plant and 20 MT per year coal mining capacity.
  • It is also the 4th largest electricity generation power plant in India, located in the Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh.
  • It is among the four Ultra Mega Power Plants awarded by the Ministry of Power.

Tiroda Thermal Power Plant

  • Tiroda Thermal Power Station is a coal-based thermal power plant operated by Adani Power.
  • It is located in Tirora in the Gondia district, Maharashtra, and has a total capacity of 3300 MW.
  • Tiroda Thermal Power Plant uses the latest technology for environmental management and has been registered under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Talcher Super Thermal Power Station

  • Talcher Super Thermal Power Station is the first mega power plant in India to have an installed generation capacity of 3000MW.
  • Talcher Super Thermal Power Station is one of the coal-based plants of NTPC, and the coal for the power plant is sourced from Jagannath Mines of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited. Additionally, the Brahmani River serves as the plant’s water source.
  • It is located in the Angul district of the Indian state of Odisha.

Also, check out the article on Carbon Pricing with the linked article!

Top 10 Biggest Thermal Power Plants of India

The top 10 biggest thermal power plants in India is

  • Vindhyachal Thermal Power Station, Madhya Pradesh
  • Mundra Thermal Power Station, Gujarat
  • Mundra Ultra Mega Power Plant, Gujarat
  • Sasan Ultra Mega Power Plant, Madhya Pradesh
  • Tiroda Thermal Power Plant, Maharashtra
  • Talcher Super Thermal Power Station, Odisha
  • Rihand Thermal Power Station, Uttar Pradesh
  • Sipat Thermal Power Plant, Chhattisgarh
  • Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station, Maharashtra
  • NTPC Dadri, Uttar Pradesh

All ten largest thermal power plants in India are coal-fired, and the government-run National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) owns and runs five of them. However, thermal power plants are operated both privately and through the government. Check out the list of the top 10 thermal power plant operators in India.

List of Important Thermal Power Plant Operators in India

SNo.

Operator Name

1

Rural Electrification Corporation (REC)

2

Power Finance Corporation (PFC)

3

National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)

4

SJVN – A Mini Ratna Company

5

THDC India Limited

6

Power System Operation Corporation Limited (POSOCO)

7

North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO)

8

National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC)

9

Power Grid Corporation of India (POWER GRID)

Study in detail about the Integrated Power Development Scheme(IPDS) with this link!

Advantages of Thermal Power Plants

Some of the advantages of Thermal Power Plants are listed below.

  • The fuel used in thermal power plants, such as coal, is quite cheap.
  • It is easy to make energy from thermal power plants.
  • A thermal power plant has a lower startup cost than other generation plants.
  • Less space is needed for thermal power plants than for other hydroelectric power plants.
  • Compared to a diesel power plant, the thermal power station has lower power generation costs.
  • Because coal can be delivered to the location of the power plant, thermal power plants can be built anywhere, regardless of the availability of coal.

Disadvantages of Thermal Power Plant
  • On average, Thermal power plants have low efficiency.
  • Thermal power plants are also responsible for air pollution and poor air quality index because they produce smoke and other pollutants.
  • Compared to hydroelectric power plants, thermal power plants have greater operating costs.
  • Thermal power plants require high maintenance costs.
  • A large amount of water is required by thermal plants for water stream conversion.

Study in detail about Hydroelectric Power Plants in India with this link!

Efficiency of Thermal Power Plants
  • The energy efficiency of conventional thermal power stations is the saleable energy produced as a percentage of the fuel's heating value consumed.
  • Simple cycle gas turbines achieve energy conversion efficiencies between 20 to 35%.
  • Typical coal-based power plants at high steam pressures and temperatures operate at 35 to 38% efficiency, while state-of-the-art fossil fuel plants reach 46% efficiency.
  • Combined-cycle systems can achieve even higher efficiencies.
  • Efficiency is limited by the laws of thermodynamics, and Carnot efficiency suggests higher temperatures lead to higher efficiencies.
  • Sub-critical pressure fossil fuel power stations can achieve 36-40% efficiency, while supercritical designs reach low to mid-40%.
  • New "ultra critical" designs with higher pressures and multiple-stage reheat can reach 45-48% efficiency.
  • Above the critical point for water, there is no phase transition, only a gradual decrease in density.

Learn more about the SERB POWER Scheme!

Factors that Determine the Location of a Thermal Power Plant

The selection of the Thermal Power Plant's location depends on certain socio-economic and engineering factors. Some factors responsible for the location of the Thermal Power Plants in India are listed below.

Availability of Water

The condenser and steam turbine require a significant volume of water, which must be converted into steam. Thermal power plants should be situated along a riverbank or close to a canal to have a constant supply of water.

Transportation Facilities

For the transfer of equipment and materials, thermal power plants should have an appropriate road and rail network.

Near the Load Center

The power station should be close to the load centre to reduce the cost of electrical energy transmission.

Availability of Raw Materials & Supplies

The accessibility to vendors and suppliers of raw materials, parts, tools, and equipment is important. Therefore, a thermal power plant should be constructed close to the availability of raw materials and supplies.

Facilities of Ash Disposal Facilities

Ash is formed after burning coal at a rate of 20% to 40% of the weight, or 1500 to 2000 tonnes per day, and as a result, it poses a more serious problem because it is very corrosive and emerges in hot temperatures. As a result, there needs to be enough room to dispose of significant amounts of ash.

Availability of Land

The usual amount of land needed is 3 to 4 hectares for each Megawatt of power. The price of the land contributes to the entire cost of the power plant, so it should be cost-effective, which means that it should be located outside of the city centre and with good bearing capacity.

Coal Availability

The necessary amount of coal is needed to create electrical energy. Thermal power plants should be close to coal mines to reduce fuel transportation costs.

Learn more about the Power Grid!

Conclusion

The thermal power plant in India is an important part of the country’s economic and social infrastructure services. They are responsible for generating electricity, which is an important element for living a life. Coal-based power plants are responsible for producing electricity in the majority of India. Despite the shortage of coal, India is still contributing towards the high production of Thermal power plants.

Thermal Power Plants In India: Types, State-wise List of Thermal Power Plants: Download PDF Here!

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Thermal Power Plant in India FAQs

Hussain Sagar Thermal Power Station is the first Thermal Power Plant in India. It is located in Hyderabad, Telangana, on the banks of Hussain Sagar. It was opened in 1920 by the erstwhile seventh Nizam of Hyderabad.

Mundra Thermal Power Station is the second largest thermal power plant in India. It is located in the Kutch district of Gujarat. It is a coal-fired power plant with a capacity of 4,620MW.

Maharashtra state is the largest producer of thermal energy in India. Maharashtra is followed by Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and West Bengal.

Tarapur Atomic Power Plant is India's largest nuclear power plant. It is operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL). It is located in Maharashtra.

There are approximately 269 power plants in India.
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