From the perspective of decision makers

the MinDS-U-DEA and MinDS-U-M index models are used to evaluate the static and dynamic efficiency of China's inter-provincial thermal power industry. Moreover

the cluster growth model of China's inter-provincial thermal power industry is analyzed from temporal and spatial dimensions. The results show that

in 2004—2017

the overall efficiency of thermal power industry in northern and southern China both rose. The development of thermal power industry in northern China was better than that in southern China

and the growth trend of thermal power industry in southern China was higher than that in northern China. Technological progress plays a different role in thermal power industry in northern and southern China. The improvement of thermal power industry in northern China mainly relies on technical efficiency and presents an "efficiency-driven" growth model

while that in southern China mainly relies on technological progress and presents an "innovation-driven" growth model. Both the north and the south have weak technological catch-up capabilities. From the micro perspective

it is recommended to encourage the application of back-pressure extraction steam turbine units

strengthen waste heat recovery

and increase the proportion of clean energy consumption. On the macro level

the government should actively guide the industry to adjust its layout

strengthen technical exchanges between the north and the south

and promote healthy competition in the thermal power market.