In a major step toward sustainable power generation, Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL), a Vedanta Power company and North India’s largest private thermal power producer, has facilitated the establishment of Punjab’s largest biomass manufacturing unit. Located adjacent to its 1980 MW supercritical thermal plant in Mansa, the new facility produces torrefied bio-pellets from agricultural residue.
Torrefied biomass—created via a thermochemical process—is a dense, carbon-neutral solid fuel derived from crop stubble. With a daily capacity of 500 tons, the facility transforms agricultural waste into high-grade biofuel suitable for co-firing in TSPL’s advanced power systems, offering a cleaner alternative to coal.
Decarbonization Drive: Reducing Emissions and Stubble Burning
This initiative is a critical component of Vedanta’s broader commitment to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. Inaugurated by Dr. Adarsh Pal Vig, Chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), the plant supports efforts to eliminate open-field stubble burning—an annual cause of severe air pollution in North India.
During the paddy season, TSPL procured over 800,000 tons of crop residue, which will yield around 640,000 tons of torrefied bio-pellets. The co-firing of this biomass will displace 5% of TSPL’s daily coal usage, potentially reducing CO₂ emissions by an estimated 2.6 million tons.
TSPL also continues to co-fire 450 tons of bio-pellets daily from external suppliers, further embedding circular economy practices and encouraging farmers to monetize stubble rather than burn it.
A Model for Sustainable Industrial Collaboration
This biomass facility stems from TSPL’s extensive stubble management initiative and signals the growing role of industrial leadership in India’s clean energy transition. According to Dr. Vig of PPCB, “The use of torrefied bio-pellets is a transformative approach to air quality improvement. TSPL’s leadership showcases the power of cross-sectoral innovation in achieving environmental goals.”
Rajinder Singh Ahuja, CEO of Vedanta Power, acknowledged early challenges such as infrastructure gaps and limited access to biofuel technology but affirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable energy. “This project is a bold step toward reducing reliance on coal while supporting India’s clean energy roadmap,” he said.
TSPL aims to scale up biomass usage steadily, ensuring continuous and expanded integration of renewable fuel into its operations. The project stands as a replicable example of how legacy power infrastructure can be transformed through industrial foresight, sustainable innovation, and regulatory collaboration.
