Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL), Vedanta Power’s 1,980 MW supercritical thermal plant in Mansa, has activated what is now Punjab’s most advanced stubble-to-biofuel circular ecosystem. The initiative is credited with a steep and sustained decline in stubble-burning incidents in a district previously identified as a high-burning hotspot.
Farm fires drop from 2,253 to 306 in two years
According to district administration data, Mansa has recorded a sharp fall in stubble-burning cases—from 2,253 in 2023 to 618 in 2024, and further to 306 in 2025. The two-year reduction stands at 87%, with a 50.5% drop in just the last year. Of the 244 villages in the district, 104 reported zero farm-fire cases this season. Former hotspots such as Heron Kalan and Dodra, which saw dozens of fires in 2023, reported no cases this year, underscoring the scale of behavioural and infrastructural change.
District authorities noted that long-term prevention required a sustainable system that allowed farmers to manage and monetise paddy straw instead of burning it. TSPL’s integrated approach—spanning stubble collection, farmer enablement, biomass processing and clean-energy generation—has been identified as a major driver of this transformation.
Punjab’s largest torrefied bio-pellet plant powers the shift
As TSPL’s supercritical plant requires high-density, carbon-neutral biofuels rather than conventional biomass, the company supported the establishment of Punjab’s largest torrefied bio-pellet manufacturing facility. The 500-ton-per-day plant is located near TSPL’s site and converts locally procured paddy straw into high-value pellets.
The model ensures a stable buy-back mechanism for farmers, turning stubble into a reliable economic resource and reducing the incentive for burning. By 30 November 2025, TSPL had co-fired more than 2,50,330 metric tonnes of biomass, achieving 5.07% of its year-to-date co-firing target. This improved utilisation is encouraging farmers to adopt cleaner crop-residue handling methods, directly contributing to reduced smog across Punjab and the National Capital Region.
Clean energy circularity benefits farmers and air quality
Vedanta Power stated that effective management of paddy stubble is essential for improving regional air quality. The collaboration between TSPL, farmers and biomass partners has created tangible economic incentives and established a replicable circularity-driven model. Company leadership highlighted that the steep reduction in farm fires demonstrates how clean-energy innovation can deliver district-wide environmental impact while supporting India’s broader net-zero ambitions.
‘Navi Disha’ CSR initiative expands sustainable farming practices
TSPL’s flagship CSR programme, Navi Disha, has played a significant role in enabling farmers to transition to sustainable practices. Last season, the initiative prevented burning across 20,040 acres and facilitated the procurement of more than eight lakh tonnes of stubble across the Malwa belt, including 73% of Mansa’s stubble produce.
Through over 30 outreach activities—featuring awareness vehicles, community events, mulching demonstrations, mushroom-farming training, the use of Happy Seeder and Super Seeder equipment, and distribution of bio-decomposer kits—the programme has reached more than 26 villages.
Building on this progress, the campaign has saved 28,180 acres of farmland from farm fires this year and engaged nearly 3,800 farmers through structured interventions aimed at sustainable agriculture and residue-management education.
Ground level impact reflects growing behavioural shift
Farmers across Mansa, including those in villages such as Kotli Khurd, report a growing preference for sustainable crop-residue management. Many have avoided burning paddy straw for several consecutive years, attributing their shift to regular guidance, improved market access for crop residue and a clear understanding of the soil-health benefits.
A model for India’s clean energy transition
TSPL supplies 35% of Punjab’s electricity and continues to integrate biomass co-firing as a central component of its decarbonisation strategy. The company’s stubble-to-biofuel model is increasingly viewed as a practical, scalable template for other districts seeking long-term solutions to seasonal air pollution. By combining advanced technology with community empowerment, the initiative is reshaping regional environmental management and contributing to cleaner air across North India.
