Nuclear Energy :

• The energy generated from the fission of the atomic minerals such as Uranium, Thorium, Plutonium is called ‘Nuclear Energy’. It has played an important role in the power development of India. 
• The demand for energy has been increased with the increase of population in the country. 
• The country has power crises as the production is insufficient to meet the requirement. 
• To meet energy needs of the country nuclear power programme was formulated. 
• The first nuclear power plant was started in 1969 at Tarapur near Mumbai with U.S.A assistance. Now there are 7 nuclear power stations in India.

Thermal Energy : 

• The Energy generated by using fossil fuels like Coal, Petroleum and Natural gas is called thermal energy. It can be produced even from Nuclear fission and wood. 
• It has certain advantages as against hydro-electricity. The initial capital involved in the construction of thermal plant is low and time requirement is short. 
• The disavantages of thermal electricity are low efficiency in terms of heating value and higher operation cost.