As an expert in the field of energy, I can provide a comprehensive overview of the electricity generation landscape in India. The Indian power sector is one of the largest in the world, and it has been growing rapidly to meet the country's increasing demand for electricity. The primary sources of electricity in India include thermal power, hydroelectric power, nuclear power, and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.

Thermal Power: As you've mentioned, thermal power is indeed the largest source of electricity in India. Thermal power plants generate electricity by burning fossil fuels. The primary fuel used in these plants is coal, which accounts for a significant portion of the country's electricity generation. These plants are categorized based on the type of fuel used, such as coal-based, gas-based, and diesel-based thermal power plants. The percentage of electricity generated from thermal sources is quite high, with coal alone contributing to a substantial share.

Hydroelectric Power: India has been harnessing hydroelectric power for many decades. Hydroelectric power plants use the gravitational force of falling water to generate electricity. These plants are often built near rivers or dams. While hydroelectric power is a significant contributor to India's electricity mix, it is not the largest source due to various factors such as environmental concerns, geographical limitations, and the impact of climate change on water availability.

Nuclear Power: Nuclear power is another source of electricity in India, albeit a smaller one compared to thermal and hydroelectric power. Nuclear power plants generate electricity through nuclear fission, which is the process of splitting the nucleus of an atom. India has a few operational nuclear power plants, and the government has plans to expand this sector to increase the share of nuclear power in the country's energy mix.

Renewable Energy: India has been making significant strides in the renewable energy sector, particularly in solar and wind power. The government has set ambitious targets for increasing the share of renewable energy in the total electricity generation. Solar power has seen exponential growth in recent years, with the installation of large solar parks and the adoption of rooftop solar systems. Wind power is also a significant contributor to the renewable energy sector.

Other Sources: Apart from the major sources, there are other minor contributors to India's electricity generation, such as biomass, waste-to-energy, and small hydroelectric plants.

In conclusion, while thermal power, particularly coal-based, is the largest source of electricity in India, the country is actively diversifying its energy mix to include more sustainable and cleaner sources of energy. The Indian government's push towards renewable energy, along with initiatives to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, is a testament to this commitment.

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Thermal power is the "largest" source of power in India. There are different types of thermal power plants based on the fuel used to generate the steam such as coal, gas, and Diesel. About 71% of electricity consumed in India are generated by thermal power plants.read more >>