The thermal power plants are playing an important role in generating the electricity in the country as the figures reveal that nearly 50 per cent electricity is being generated from 285 coal power plants.
According to the figures available, the thermal power plants are producing nearly 70 per cent electricity.
Recently, the country faced an acute shortage of coal due to the ongoing aggression between Russia and Ukraine and simultaneously affected the electricity across India as well. The shortage of coal has revealed the country’s dependence on coal based power plants.
Besides producing more than a half of the country’s electricity, the fuel is worsening the environment with each passing day amid the concerns being raised about pollution all across the globe.
The studies available have clearly mentioned how the fuel is polluting soil, land and air, which is pivotal to the survival of humans. These studies have stated that the thermal power plants emit large amounts of mercury and generate large quantities of fly ash, which destroys the surrounding environment.
Therefore, relying on these thermal plants can deteriorate the environment further and simultaneously can affect human survival as well.
As the country considers other fuels, the authorities should consider opting for nuclear energy as it is considered as a zero-emission clean energy source.
According to the data, in 2020, the electricity being produced through nuclear power plants is just 3.11% of total power generation in India.
The country has obtained second place worldwide in the power generation through thermal power plants while it is on 13th rank when it comes to nuclear energy. India’s present nuclear power capacity of 6,780 MW is planned to be increased to 22,480 MW by 2031, the government had recently stated.
Therefore, the concerned ministry must take up the mission of increasing the nuclear power capacity in the country to safeguard the environment from the pollution due to the thermal power plants. Nuclear energy compared to thermal power plants can assist in bringing a solution on the ground.
