Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Mini-hydel plants can do away with the need for large scale transmission towers and cables.
Reason (R): Mini-hydel plants generate enough power to meet local demands.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Assertion (A): Mini-hydel plants can do away with the need for large scale transmission towers and cables. — True. Power from these plants is used locally, so it need not be carried far.
Reason (R): Mini-hydel plants generate enough power to meet local demands. — True. The streams move small turbines, and the electricity meets local demands.
Why R explains A?
Large towers and cables are needed only to carry power over long distances. A mini-hydel plant makes enough power for the area where it stands. So the power is used near the plant itself, and towers, cables and transmission loss are avoided.
NCERT (2026-27): “7.5 Strategies for Sustainable Development … Mini-hydel Plants: In mountainous regions, streams can be found almost everywhere. A large percentage of such streams are perennial. Mini-hydel plants use the energy of such streams to move small turbines. The turbines generate electricity which can be used locally. Such power plants are more or less environment-friendly as they do not change the land use pattern in areas where they are located; they generate enough power to meet local demands. This means that they can also do away with the need for large scale transmission towers and cables and avoid transmission loss.” |