List Of Thermal Power Plants In India

Mausami Sharma
February 21, 2022
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Thermal power plants contribute a major amount of electricity to the process of power generation in India. The total installed power generation capacity in India as of June 30, 2021, is 3,84,115.94 MW. Thermal power plants hold great importance in India’s economic development. Hence, it is one of the most important exam topics from where a lot of general question arises.

The candidates preparing for nay government or competitive exam must be aware of the thermal power plants and their basics. For our aspirants, we have discussed every part of this topic. The candidates are advised to read the article till the end.

What is a thermal power plant?

A thermal power plant is a power plant in which steam energy is converted into electricity through the steam turbine.

The turbine blade turbine shaft attached to the generator is rotated by steam. The turbine impeller’s kinetic energy is converted into electric energy by the generator. On the other hand, purified water and air are supplied into the boiler drum, where the fuel’s combustion heat is transferred to water and converted into high-pressure, high-temperature steam. The Rankine cycle is the term for this process.

In the process of electric power generation, steam-powered turbines convert heat into mechanical power and then finally electric power.

Types of thermal power plant

Based on heat Source

Heat plays an important role in electricity production. So the sources of heat are used to classify the type of thermal power plant. `

Below are given the sources of heat production of the thermal power plants:-

Coal-Fired

Coal is the major source of energy in thermal power plants. Around 85% of energy sources are derived from coal. Coal is a fossil fuel, hence it emits harmful gases as well. To make energy production more sustainable, industries are now opting to alternatives.

Diesel or Liquid fuel

Liquid fuel-based thermal power plants are also run. They are more accessible and efficient to use. One litre of heavy oil normally produces approximately 41,000 kJ (10,000 kcal) of heat and that is why it is one of the most reliable sources of energy to be used in thermal power plants.

Geothermal

Geothermal energy is heat within the earth.it is a renewable source of energy. Hence, it is less polluting and adequate for industrial use.

Gas

Fuel is burned in the compressed air inside combustors to generate gas, and the resulting large power is utilized to spin gas turbines. It is less polluting and provides a great alternative for coal.

Biomass

Biomass is a plant or animal material used as fuel to produce electricity or heat. It is the most sustainable way of producing electricity because biomass is made of scrap plants and animal residue.

Based on Installing capacity

India typically uses three types of thermal power plants. These power plants have their installing capacity, and thus it is a source of classification of the thermal power plants. Here we have provided the three types of thermal power plants based on their installing capacity:-

Coal: 206404.50 MW
Gas: 24956.51 MW
Liquid Fuel(Diesel): 509.71 MW

India, as of June 30, 2021, has a total installed power generation capacity of 3,84,115.94 MW.

And around 70% of the total power generation in India is covered by thermal power plants.

Factors responsible for the location of the thermal power plants

There are many factors associated with the location of the thermal power plants. While situating the thermal power plants, these factors are taken into consideration. These factors are equally important from the exam perspective.

Terrain

Power plants need a wide range of land equipment and technologies. As for a coal-based thermal power plant, a larger area of land would be required, whereas a natural gas fitted power plant would require a smaller area for functioning.

The terrain with easy to transport facility will attract more thermal power plants as compared to the mountain-based areas.

Availability of Fuel and Water

Many power plants use water from lakes, rivers, municipal water utilities, or groundwater. Water plays a powerful catalyst in the process of power production. Mostly, Surface water is used for plant cooling and groundwater is used for plant processes.

Likewise, an adequate supply of fuel provides fewer chances of alternative fuel adaptability. This lessens down the financial burden of changing fuels.

So, locations with an adequate water supply and constant availability of fuel are mostly preferred.

Proximity to population centres

The thermal power plants are located at a far distance from the population centres because of many factors such as pollution, visual and noise effect. To create a visual and sound barrier, the distant locations for thermal power plants are chosen.

Accessibility

Power plant construction and operation can require road, rail, or barge access to the site. Sites with access to roads only are less desirable as compared to the areas with roadways, waterways accessibility. Hence, accessibility plays a major role in determining the location of the thermal power plants.

List of Thermal power plants in India

Now, we will look at the list of thermal power plants based in various states.

State	Thermal Power Plant
Madhya Pradesh	Amarkantak Thermal Power Plant
Madhya Pradesh	Satpura Thermal Power Plant
Madhya Pradesh	Sanjay Gandhi, Birsinghpur Thermal Power Plant
Madhya Pradesh	Shri Singaji Thermal Power Station Dongalia
Madhya Pradesh	Vindhyachal Thermal Power Station
Madhya Pradesh	Singrauli Super Thermal Power Station
Maharashtra	Amravati Thermal Power plant
Maharashtra	Chandrapur Thermal Power plant
Maharashtra	Khaperkheda Thermal Power plant
Maharashtra	Tiroda Thermal Power plant
Maharashtra	Chandrapur Thermal Power plant
Maharashtra	Solapur Super Thermal Power Station
Maharashtra	Mauda Super Thermal Power Plant
Uttar Pradesh	Anpara Thermal Power plant
Uttar Pradesh	Dadri Thermal Power plant
Uttar Pradesh	Feroz Gandhi Unchahar Thermal Power plant
Uttar Pradesh	National Capital Thermal Power plant
Uttar Pradesh	Obra Thermal Power plant
Uttar Pradesh	Rihand Super Thermal Power plant
Uttar Pradesh	Rosa Thermal Power plant
Bihar	Barauni Thermal Power Station
Bihar	Patratu Thermal Power Station
Bihar	Khalgaon Super Thermal Power Project
Karnataka	Raichur Thermal Power station
Karnataka	Bellary Thermal Power station
Karnataka	Yermarus Thermal Power Station
Karnataka	Udupi Thermal Power plant
Chhattisgarh	Sipat Thermal Power Plant
Chhattisgarh	Lara Super Thermal Power Plant
Chhattisgarh	Korba Thermal Power Plant
Chhattisgarh	Bhilai Thermal Power Plant
Jharkhand	Patratu Thermal Power plant
Jharkhand	Bokaro Thermal Power plant
Rajasthan	Kalisindh Thermal Power plant
Rajasthan	Chhabra Thermal Power plant
Rajasthan	Suratgarh Super Thermal Power Plant
Rajasthan	Kota Thermal Power plant
Rajasthan	Ramgarh Gas Thermal Power Station
Rajasthan	Anta Thermal Power Station
Rajasthan	Barsingsar Thermal Power Station
West Bengal	Durgapur Thermal Power plant
West Bengal	Mejia Thermal Power Station
West Bengal	Farakka Thermal Power plant
West Bengal	Kolaghat Thermal Power Station
West Bengal	Sagardighi Thermal Power Station
West Bengal	Budge Budge Thermal Power Plant
West Bengal	Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station
West Bengal	Bakreshwar Thermal Power Station
Tamil Nadu	Neyveli Thermal Power Station
Tamil Nadu	Mettur Thermal Power plant
Tamil Nadu	Ennore Thermal Power plant
Tamil Nadu	IND Barath Thermal Power Plant
Tamil Nadu	Tuticorin Thermal Power Station
Gujarat	Gandhinagar Thermal Power plant
Gujarat	Ukai Thermal Power plant
Gujarat	Sikka Thermal Power plant
Gujarat	Mudra Thermal Power plant
Gujarat	Wanakbori Thermal Power plant
Gujarat	Kutch Lignite Thermal Power Station
Gujarat	Akrimota Thermal Power Station
Gujarat	Sabarmati Thermal Power Station
Odisha	Hirakud Captive Thermal Power plant
Odisha	Talcher Thermal Power plant
Odisha	Jharsuguda Thermal Power plant
Andhra Pradesh	Simhadri Thermal Power plant
Telangana	Ramagundam Thermal Power plant
Assam	Namrup Thermal Power Plant

Conclusion

Thermal power plants are an important energy source for the electricity supply in India. With the increasing population, the consumption of electricity is also increasing. This tends more focus towards the increase in the number of thermal power plants. It is also a significant topic from the competitive exam perspective. Thermal power plants are categorized by the heat source they use and their installing capacity.

The major source of heat energy in thermal power plants is coal, which is a non-renewable resource, depleting at a very fast rate. Other alternatives are more sustainable such as biomass, gas, geothermal energy etc. there are many small and big thermal power plants spread across various states in India. The list of the same is given above. Hope you liked this article and if you have any questions or queries, drop us a comment below.

Thank you!

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Mausami Sharma

Intern at SSBCrackExams. An avid reader, UPSC aspirant and a curious defence aircraft researcher. Pursuing my Interest in global politics and diplomatic studies.