Question

Which is the largest source of electricity in India?
A) Coal
B) Oil
C) Natural gas
D) Lignite

Answer 1

Hint: India was the third-largest consumer of electricity in the world after China and the USA in \[2018-19\]. The primary energy consumption has tripled in the last three decades reaching \[916\] million tons of equivalents. India is still heavily dependent upon conventional sources of energy for electricity production.

Complete answer:
The idea of producing electricity from natural gas is still nascent in India. So it accounts for only \[6%\] of total electricity production In India. The government aims to increase it substantially by \[2030\]. Lignite is low-quality coal with low heat content and used primarily for energy production but it’s very harmful to health and the environment. Neyveli in Tamil Nadu is the biggest source of lignite In India. Coal, which is accounted for \[74%\] of India’s electricity generation, is the largest source of electricity in India. Thermal power plants are the biggest source of electricity production in India. Coal is followed by Renewable energy which accounts for \[18%\] of the total production. It is also the fastest-growing source of electricity production in India. The government of India has set a target of installing \[175\] GW of renewable energy in India by \[2022\].
So, the correct answer is Option (A).

Note: Jharia coalfield in West Bengal is the largest coal mine in India. Maharashtra is the leading producer of electricity in India. It is followed by Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. India’s largest floating solar power plant is set up in Banasura Sagar Dam in Kerala. Floating panels are more energy-efficient due to the moderating effect of water.