With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements:1. None of them uses seawater.2. None of them are set up in water-stressed districts.3. None of them is privately owned.How many of the above statements are correct?
✓ Correct answer: d) None
ExplanationThermal power is the largest source of electricity in India, accounting for around 70% of the country’s total power generation.It primarily relies on coal, gas, and oil as fuel sources, with coal-based plants being the dominant contributors.UPSC GS Paper-I PYQs 366Statement 1 is incorrect : Water is essential in thermal power plants for cooling high temperatures and generating steam to power turbines.In India, river water is primarily used for this purpose, but some plants, like Mundra Thermal Power Station in Gujarat, use seawater.Statement 2 is incorrect : More than a third of India’s freshwa- ter-based plants are in areas with high or extreme water stress.On average, they run at 15-25 % lower capacity than those in less water-stressed regions because of limited water availability.Ex-Suratgarh Thermal Power Plant (Rajasthan)Statement 3 is incorrect : Many coal-based power plants in In- dia are privately owned and operated.For example, the Mundra Thermal Power Plant in Gujarat is owned by Adani Power and is one of the largest private-sector coal-based power plants in the co
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