Coal and diesel are used for the generation of thermal power in India. In fact, coal is the major source of energy used for the production of electricity in those areas that either have no nearby water power sites or are located near coal mines. In states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh, coal is the major source of power. Further, some industrial cities like Kanpur and Ahmedabad are served totally with the electricity generated by coal. Moreover, diesel engines for generating electrical power have been installed basically at small towns of the country. Installed capacity of such power plants is only a few hundred kilowatts.

The modern world is well aware of hydro-electricity. It is derived from a source, which is plentiful and above all renewable. Thermal power plants, on the other hand, use coal, petroleum and natural gas to produce thermal electricity. These sources are of mineral origin. They are also called fossil fuels. Their greatest demerit is that they are exhaustible resources and cannot be replenished by human. Moreover, they are not pollution free as hydro-electricity is. However, electricity, whether thermal, nuclear or hydro, is most convenient and versatile form of energy. It is in great demand by industry agriculture, transport and domestic sectors its use is closely related to productivity and standard of living of the people.

Thermal power generators are mainly situated in big industrial coal fields and cities.

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