Do electric power plants generate their own power?

Question

I'm working on a sci-fi story and I need to know if, once electric power plants have gotten started, particularly nuclear plants, they generate enough power to not only power the city they're connected to but also themselves.

I know that an external source of energy is needed to get the power plant itself going, but once it does get going, is it now generating energy enough to power itself?

Answer 1

Yes, most power plants have gas fired or oil fired generators to start the main plant. But after they are up and running they make enough for themselves and others.

Answer 2

Yes, power plants generate their own power.

Additionally, power plants at coal mines also generate the power to run the coal mine too.

Answer 3

"is it generating energy enough to power itself"

Think about that: If it didn't, how useful would it be? If it couldn't power itself, then it has no power to supply the community, and it is a net power loss!

So where would we get power, if every power plant we built did not generate any power for the outside because it was using all it's power to power itself?

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