This paper discussed the advantages of genetic algorithm in the load distribution of the thermal power plant, and several other commonly used algorithms: equal incremental method, nonlinear programming method, particle swarm optimization for comparison and analysis. Compared with other methods, the results of use the genetic algorithms to calculate the load distribution between the thermal power plant units were both simple and accurate. So use the genetic algorithms to calculate the load distribution could optimizing the allocation of unit load, reduce coal consumption, improve the efficiency of the unit, responded to the call of the national energy saving.
