Vedanta Group has announced that the biomass manufacturing facility of its energy arm, Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd (TSPL), has significantly contributed to reducing stubble burning incidents in the Mansa district of Punjab. The company's initiative has not only led to cleaner air but also provided farmers with a dependable and financially viable alternative to burning crop residue.
TSPL operates a 1,980 MW supercritical thermal power plant in Mansa. To ensure a steady supply of high-density, carbon-neutral biofuels, which its supercritical plant requires, the company supported the development of Punjab’s largest torrefied bio-pellet manufacturing facility near the plant. This facility has a capacity of 500 tonnes per day and converts locally sourced agricultural residue, primarily paddy straw, into high-value fuel, thus creating a guaranteed buy-back market for farmers.
According to data from the district administration, Mansa has seen a substantial decline in stubble-burning cases. In 2023, there were 2,253 cases, which dropped to 618 in 2024 and further to 306 in 2025. This represents an 87% reduction over two years and a 50.5% reduction in one year. Notably, 104 out of Mansa's 244 villages reported zero farm fires in 2025.
Rajinder Singh Ahuja, CEO of Power, Vedanta Ltd, emphasized the importance of effective stubble management for improving Punjab's air quality. He noted that TSPL's collaboration with farmers and partners across the stubble-to-biofuel value chain has created economic incentives for farmers, contributing to the sharp decline in farm fires in Mansa over the past two years.
TSPL's efforts align with Vedanta's commitment to achieving excellence in environmental management and minimizing the environmental impact of its business operations. The company aims to implement pollution-prevention and natural resource conservation actions. This commitment is further supported by TSPL's broader stubble management drive, which aims to curb open-field burning, improve air quality, and accelerate the state's clean energy transition.
The torrefied bio-pellets produced by the facility offer a sustainable alternative to coal. TSPL plans to reduce its coal usage by 5% daily by replacing a portion of the coal with this carbon-neutral alternative. TSPL also co-fires 450 tons of torrefied biomass daily, sourced from open markets and made from crop stubble. These efforts are expected to prevent approximately 2.6 million tons of CO₂ emissions.
Dr. Adarsh Pal Vig, Chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), has lauded TSPL's initiative as an example of collaborative innovation needed to improve air quality across Punjab and neighboring states. He noted that TSPL's use of agricultural stubble in the form of torrefied bio-pellets significantly reduces coal consumption and advances environmental compliance in thermal power generation.
TSPL's commitment to environmental sustainability extends beyond stubble management. The company has implemented several initiatives to reduce plastic use and carbon emissions and build a circular economy. TSPL has also expanded its green cover from just under 6 acres in 2011 to over 800 acres, which now houses 33 native plant species and a dedicated medicinal plant garden.
