A Thermal Power Plant is designed to convert heat energy into electric power for various uses. Steam-operated turbines play a key role in this process, transforming heat into mechanical energy and then into electric power. These plants produce steam at high pressure and temperature by burning solid fuels like coal. The steam drives turbine shafts connected to generators, where the kinetic energy from the turbines is converted into electrical energy.
Types of Thermal Power Plants in India
Thermal power plants in India utilize various sources of heat to generate electricity for commercial use. These plants are crucial for ensuring system reliability and meeting significant portions of the country’s electricity demand. Here are the main types of thermal power plants classified by their heat sources:
Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plants:
These plants use coal as their primary fuel source. In India, around 75% of electricity is generated from coal-fired thermal power plants, making them a cornerstone of the nation’s power production.
Gas Thermal Power Plants:
Gas thermal power plants utilize gases or oils as fuel. They include natural gas power stations, which burn natural gas to generate electricity. India has a substantial built capacity for gas-based electricity, with some facilities still underutilized.
Geothermal Thermal Power Plants:
Geothermal power plants harness heat from underground fluids. India has numerous geothermal hot springs, though most have relatively low temperatures suitable for direct heat applications. The first geothermal power plant in India is planned for Ladakh.
Biomass Thermal Power Plants:
Biomass thermal power plants generate heat using materials like bagasse, rice husk, straw, and other agricultural residues. Biomass is abundant, renewable, and supports rural employment. Many regions in India rely on biomass for energy needs.
Nuclear Thermal Power Plants:
Nuclear power plants use nuclear fission to produce heat for electricity generation. India has several operational nuclear power plants, with nuclear energy playing a significant role in the country’s power mix.
Kothagudem Thermal Power Station (KTPS)
Kothagudem Thermal Power Station (KTPS) is located at Paloncha Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
Its installed capacity is 1800 MW.
The first unit of KTPS was commissioned in 1966.
KTPS receives Coal and Water from Singareni collieries and Kinnerasani Reservoir respectively.
At present, the installed capacity of KTPS is 1800 MW.
KTPS V has two units with 250 MW each and KTPS VI has one unit with 500 MW and KTPS VII has one unit with 800 MW capacity.
NTPC was started in 1975. It is a Maharátna company.
It is the largest production corporation in the world National Thermal Power Corporation Ramagundam.
It was established at Ramagundam in Peddapalli district in November 1983. NTPC Ramagundam is the largest thermal power station in South India.
It is a Maharatna Company.
Installed Capacity of the Ramagundam Super Thermal plant is 2600 MW.
NTPC receives (Coal from Godavari coal belt of SCCL and(water from Sriram Sagar Dam States benefited: Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, GOR Kerala and Karnataka.
Ramagundam-B Thermal Power Corporation
It was established in October 1971 at Ramągundam in Peddapalli district.
It operates under the Government of Telangana. Installed capacity: 62.50 MW.
Kakatiya Thermal Power Corporation
Kakatiya-1 Thermal Power Corporation
It was established in February 2009 at Chelpur village in Ghanpur mandal of Jayashankar Bhupalapally. It was commissioned in May 2010.
Installed Capacity: 500 MW.
Kakatiya-2 Thermal Power Corporation
lt was established on 5 January 2016 at Chelpür village in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district.
This Thermal power station receives Coal from Tadicherla Coal mine and water from river Godavari.
Installed Capacity- 600MW.
Keeping in view the growing demand for power in the state, TSGENCO has undertaken a capacity addition programme by establishing two new thermal power projects of 5,080 MW.
The new projects are Bhadradri Thermal Power Station (4×270 MW), which has been commissioned, and Yadadri Thermal Power Station (5×800 MW) which is planned to be commissioned in the next two to three years.
Yadadri Thermal Power Station
This thermal power station has been initiated at Dameracherla in Nalgonda district.
Estimated power generation capacity: 4000MW (5×800 MW)
Estimated cost- Rs 29,965 Cr
Bhadradri Thermal Power Station
This proposed thermal power station has been initiated at. Ramanujavaram in Manuguru Mandal of Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
Estimated power generation capacity: 1080 MW (4×270 Mwy
Estimated cost- Rs 9,268 Cr
Singareni Thermal Power Station
This thermal power station is proposed to be constructed at Pegadapalli in Jaipur mandal of Mancherial district.
Estimated power generation capacity:1200 MW (2x 600 MW)
Shankarpally Gas Power Plant
The power plant was conceived in 2002 to meet the energy needs of Hyderabad and surroundings.
Installed Capacity: 1600 MW
This power plant was closed due to non-availability of gas.
The state government has written to the Centre several times requesting gas allocation to the power plant when gas became available from D-6 block.no
TS GENCO had proposed in June 2017 to set up the gas-based 1,000 MW plant at Shankarpally And a 2,100 MW plant at Nedunur.
