| Item |
Thermal Power Plant |
Hydro Power Plant |
Nuclear Power Plant |
| Site |
Such plants are located at a place where ample supply of
water and coal is available, transportation facilities are adequate |
Such plants are located where large reservoirs can be obtained by constructing a dam
e.g. in hilly areas. |
These plants are located away from thickly populated areas to avoid radioactive pollution. |
| Initial Cost |
Initial cost is lower than those
of hydroelectric and nuclear
power plants |
Initial cost is very high because of dam construction and
excavation work. |
Initial cost is highest because of huge investment
on building a nuclear reactor |
| Running Cost |
Higher than hydroelectric and
nuclear plant because of the requirement of the huge amount of
coal. |
Practically nil because no fuel
is required. |
Except for the hydroelectric plant, it has the minimum running cost because a small amount of fuel can produce a relatively large amount of power |
| Cost of fuel transportation |
Maximum because huge
amount of coal is transported
to the plant site. |
There is no transportation cost because water act as fuel |
Minimum because small
quantity of fuel is required |
| Maintenance cost |
Quite high as skilled operating
staff is required. |
Quite Low |
Very high as highly trained
personnel are required to
handle the plant. |
Transmission and
distribution cost |
Quite low as these are generally
located near the load centers |
Quite high as these are located
quite a way from the load centers |
Quite low as these are located near load centers |
| Overall efficiency |
Least efficient. Overall efficiency
is about 25% |
Most efficient. Overall efficiency is about 85%. |
More efficient than steam
power station |
| Standby losses |
Maximum as the boiler remains in operation even when the turbine is not working |
No standby losses |
Less |