With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements : 1. None of them uses seawater. 2. None of them is set up in water-stressed district. 3. None of them is privately owned. How many of the above statements are correct?
Correct Answer: Option D
Many thermal power plants are located near the sea coast to access cooling water. Coastal Gujarat Power Limited (CGPL), a coal-fired power plant, uses a 'once-through system' based on seawater circulation for power generation. Several other coal-fired thermal power plants in India also use seawater for cooling.
Statement 1 is not correct.
A study indicates that extracting large amounts of water by coal-fired thermal power plants affects the short-term water availability in India’s river basins. Major power grids in India depend on 14 river basins, with many plants in the Indus, Ganga, Mahanadi, and Godavari basins. These catchments face 'high water stress' due to the geographical shift in constructing new coal-fired power plants favoring northern and eastern river basins.
Statement 2 is not correct.
India has both privately and publicly owned coal-fired thermal power stations. Private corporations like Coastal Gujarat Power Limited, a subsidiary of Tata Power, operate coal-fired thermal power facilities.
Statement 3 is not correct.
Hence, none of the statements are correct.