EUBCE 2026 - Jyoti SHARMA - Beyond Mandates: Diagnosing the "Compliance Trap" and Configuring a Viable Biomass Co-firing Ecosystem of Thermal Power Plants in Developing Economies

Beyond Mandates: Diagnosing the "Compliance Trap" and Configuring a Viable Biomass Co-firing Ecosystem of Thermal Power Plants in Developing Economies

Short Introductive summary

Decarbonizing the coal-dependent power sector presents a significant challenge for many developing economies. One promising strategy for transitioning away from coal is the co-firing of biomass in thermal power plants, which also helps to mitigate the environmental issues associated with the open burning of crop residues. This study investigates the existing implementation gap in biomass co-firing policies by closely examining the operations of both publicly owned and privately operated thermal power plants in Haryana, India. Our findings highlight a notable divergence in performance between these two types of power plants, despite them operating under the same regulatory frameworks. A key insight from our research is the emergence of what we term the "Compliance Trap," a situation where state-run utilities exhibit strategic paralysis and inaction regarding procurement processes. In contrast, private operators demonstrate a more proactive and strategic approach to building biomass supply networks. To tackle these challenges, we propose a reimagined Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, tailored to enhance collaboration and efficiency. This model features a comprehensi

J. Sharma, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, INDIA
A. Singh, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, INDIA
A. Garg, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, INDIA