Cities Skylines 2: Coal Power Plant, Gas Power Plant
The Small Coal Power Plant is an economical choice in the early stages of city development, offering affordability in both construction and maintenance. However, it comes with significant environmental drawbacks, producing noticeable pollution. Furthermore, its reliance on coal as a fuel source means that cities may need to invest in coal imports or mining. Unlike many advanced power solutions available later in the game, this plant lacks upgrade options, making it a short-term solution for growing cities, necessitating future energy planning.
GAS POWER PLANT
The Gas Power Plant stands as a more expansive and efficient alternative to its coal counterparts. Fueled by natural gas, this plant offers a modern approach to electricity generation. Cities can harness their specialized industry zones to mine oil, which, upon refining, results in the petrochemicals that feed this power plant. Although the upfront and operational costs of a Gas Power Plant might be marginally higher, the advantages lie in its environmental footprint: it emits less pollution compared to coal power plants. As cities grapple with sustainability challenges, transitioning to gas power plants can be an intermediate solution before venturing into fully renewable sources. This offers a balance between the economic and environmental factors, making it a viable option for municipalities looking to gradually upgrade their energy infrastructure.
COAL POWER PLANT
The Coal Power Plant is essentially an enhanced version of the Small Coal Power Plant, but on a grander scale. As urban growth drives up electricity demand, the limited output of the Small Coal Power Plant might fall short. This is where the larger Coal Power Plant becomes invaluable. Its electricity generation capacity far outstrips its smaller counterpart, and economically, constructing and maintaining a single Coal Power Plant is more cost-effective than operating several Small Coal Power Plants to achieve the same energy yield.