The correct answer is: B. Thermal
Thermal power plants are the most common type of power plant in India, accounting for over 60% of the country’s electricity generation. They use coal, oil, or natural gas to heat water, which turns into steam that drives a turbine to generate electricity.
Thermal power plants have shown the largest growth till the Eighth plan because they are relatively inexpensive to build and operate. They are also reliable sources of electricity, which is important for a country like India that is experiencing rapid economic growth.
However, thermal power plants also have a number of disadvantages. They are a major source of air pollution, and they contribute to climate change. They also require large amounts of water, which can be a problem in areas that are already facing water shortages.
In recent years, there has been a growing focus on developing renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind power. These sources of energy are cleaner and do not produce greenhouse gases. However, they are also more expensive to build and operate than thermal power plants.
It is likely that India will continue to rely on thermal power plants for the foreseeable future. However, the government is also working to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- Hydro power plants use the power of moving water to generate electricity. They are a clean and renewable source of energy, but they can be expensive to build and operate.
- Gas power plants use natural gas to generate electricity. They are a cleaner and more efficient source of energy than coal-fired power plants, but they still produce greenhouse gases.
- Nuclear power plants use the heat from nuclear fission to generate electricity. They are a clean and efficient source of energy, but they produce radioactive waste that must be carefully disposed of.