What is a common effect of improper maintenance in a power plant?

Improper maintenance in a power plant can lead to increased operational costs due to several factors. When equipment is not regularly maintained, it can develop problems that may go unnoticed until they escalate into more significant issues. This could result in unexpected breakdowns, leading to unscheduled downtime where the plant cannot operate, thus affecting productivity.

Additionally, compromised efficiency in machinery can lead to higher energy consumption, further driving up operational costs. Moreover, repairs on neglected equipment are often more extensive and expensive than regular maintenance tasks. As components wear out or fail, replacement parts may need to be procured urgently, often at a premium cost, contributing to the overall increase in expenditure.

The other choices suggest improvements or efficiencies, which would not occur as a result of improper maintenance. Increased operational costs accurately reflects the detrimental outcomes associated with neglecting proper maintenance protocols in a power plant.