Power Resources of India Notes with PDF

These notes are your ultimate revision weapon to revise Power Resources of India. We’ve distilled years of previous exam questions (PYQs) into one powerful, concise resource. Everything you need to know, nothing you don’t.

• PYQs, Decoded: All key concepts from past exams, organized and simplified.
• Revise in Record Time: Short, precise, and designed for last-minute review.
• Focus on What Matters: Master high-probability topics and boost your confidence.
• Free PDF to download.

Energy Sources and Power Plants in India

1. Thermal Power

Thermal power has the highest share in India’s power generation.

A. Types & Examples

• Coal/Lignite-Based:
  • Neyveli (Tamil Nadu) uses Tertiary coal (Lignite).
  • Obra (Uttar Pradesh) was established with Russian assistance.
• Gas-Based:
  • Uran (Maharashtra) is a gas-based power project.
• Private Ownership:
  • A power plant at Jamnagar is owned by Essar Power.

B. Location of Specific Power Plants

• Andhra Pradesh: Kothagudem
• Delhi: Badarpur
• Gujarat: Ukai, Wankbori (Wanakbori)
• Jharkhand: Patratu, Bokaro
• Karnataka: Raichur
• Madhya Pradesh: Pench
• Maharashtra: Dabhol, Paras
• Tamil Nadu: Mettur, Neyveli
• Uttar Pradesh: Harduaganj, Obra
• West Bengal: Farakka (Super Thermal Power Plant)

C. Significance and Capacity

• NTPC Projects:
  • Farakka Super Thermal Power Plant (West Bengal) was established by NTPC.
  • Ramagundam Super Thermal Power Station is in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Kayamkulom Power Plant is associated with NTPC.
• Other Significant Plants:
  • The Nabinagar Power Plant is associated with Indian Railways.

D. State Rankings in Installed Capacity

1. Maharashtra
2. Gujarat
3. Uttar Pradesh
4. West Bengal

E. Performance Metrics

• The average All-India Thermal Plant Load Factor (PLF) varies between 65-70%.

F. Incorrect Locations (Clarifications)

• Idukki is not a thermal power station (it is hydro-electric).
• Paras Thermal Power Station is in Maharashtra, not Andhra Pradesh.

2. Nuclear Power

A. Operational Nuclear Power Stations

• First & Largest: Tarapur (Maharashtra)
• Key Locations:
  • Rawatbhata (Rajasthan)
  • Kakrapar (Gujarat)
  • Narora (Uttar Pradesh)
  • Kaiga (Karnataka) – Commissioned in 1999; noted as the twentieth nuclear power station.
  • Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu) – Built with Russian collaboration; agreement for up to 6 reactors.

B. Proposed Plants

• Jaitpur (Maharashtra)
• Mithi Virdi (Gujarat) – proposed in collaboration with the USA.
• Kovvadda (Andhra Pradesh)

C. Incorrectly Matched Locations (Clarifications)

• Haripur is not in Haryana (it is in West Bengal).
• Ennore is not in Meghalaya (it is in Tamil Nadu).
• Kaiga is not in Uttar Pradesh (it is in Karnataka).
• Kalpakkam is not in Karnataka (it is in Tamil Nadu).

D. Commissioning and Construction (as of 2011 data)

• The 25th nuclear plant was being constructed at Fatehabad, Haryana.

E. Nuclear Energy Contribution & Resources

• Share in Energy Generation: Very low (approx. 2-3% as of 2006-2013 data).
• Fuel Resources:
  • India is self-sufficient in Thorium supply.
  • The statement that “nuclear minerals are ubiquitously available in India” is false.

F. Supporting Infrastructure

• Heavy Water Plants: Located at Kalpakkam, Hazira, Thal, Tuticorin, Manuguru.
• Joint Ventures: Anushakti Vidyut Nigam Limited is a joint venture between NPCIL and NTPC.

3. Hydroelectric Power

• General Share: Contributes around 10-12% to India’s total electricity production.
• Examples:
  • Sabarigiri is a hydro-electric project.
  • Koyna (Maharashtra)
  • Rana Pratap Sagar and Jawahar Sagar (both on the Chambal River, Rajasthan)
  • Chamera (Himachal Pradesh)
  • Mettur Dam (Tamil Nadu) has a power station.

4. Other Renewable Energy Sources

A. Solar Energy

• Highest Potential: Rajasthan
• Major Projects/Sites:
  • Pavagada Solar Park (Karnataka)
  • Gwal Pahari
  • Rampura (Uttar Pradesh) – first village in India with its own solar power plant.

B. Wind Energy

• Ranking: Karnataka ranks first in generation.
• Major Sites:
  • Muppandal (Tamil Nadu) – site of Asia’s biggest wind energy project (150 MW).
  • Satara (Maharashtra)

C. Geothermal Energy

• General: A renewable resource harnessed from natural hot springs.
• Locations:
  • Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh) – has a geothermal power plant.
  • Jwalamukhi hot springs (Himachal Pradesh, not Jammu and Kashmir).
  • Anhoni hot springs (Madhya Pradesh).
  • Tapta Pani hot springs (Odisha).

D. Tidal Energy

• Most Potential Areas: Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay) and Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat).

5. Energy Sector Overview & Miscellaneous Facts

A. Classification of Energy Sources

• Renewable: Solar, Wind, Hydropower, Geothermal, Biogas.
• Non-Renewable: Petroleum, Coal, Natural Gas, Atomic Energy.
• Commercial: Petroleum, Coal, Natural Gas, Electricity (produced and sold in the market).
• Non-Commercial: Biogas, firewood, animal waste (traditionally for personal use).

B. Key Organizations

• NTPC: National Thermal Power Corporation.
• NHPC: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation.

C. State Performance

• Maharashtra ranks first in overall installed capacity and generation of electricity.

D. Energy Consumption

• Per Capita (1994 data): 243 kg of oil equivalent.
• Major Consuming Sector: Industry.

E. Challenges in the Power Sector
Reasons for the financial sickness of State Electricity Boards (SEBs) include:

• Selling power below the cost of production.
• High transmission and distribution losses.
• Lack of commercial autonomy.
• Implementation of social subsidy policies by state governments.

F. Incorrect Statements (Clarifications)

• It is not correct that energy production in India has shown a declining trend.
• It is not correct that India has the absolute lowest per capita energy consumption in the world (it is among the lowest).

G. Multi-purpose & Irrigation Projects

• Ghatprabha is an irrigation project.
• Ramganga is a multi-purpose project.

H. Specific Plant Clarifications

• NTPC Singrauli: It is NTPC’s oldest unit and is situated in the Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh, not in the northern part of Chhattisgarh.
• Korba (Chhattisgarh) is known for thermal power, not wind energy.
• Jhakri (Himachal Pradesh) is a major hydel (hydroelectric) power station.

Know More About Power Resources of India:

• Power Resources of India – Old Year Questions
• Power Resources of India One Liner Questions & Answers