Renewable energy, particularly biogas, stands as a
pivotal solution amidst global energy challenges, offering sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Himachal
Pradesh, a mountainous region in North India, exemplifies this shift with a growing network of biogas
plants to alleviate energy poverty and environmental
degradation. However, the operational success of these
biogas plants remains precarious, marked by a significant non-functionality rate. The present study examines
180 biogas plants across Hamirpur and Kangra districts,
revealing that 74.81% of these plants are non-operational. Key reasons include inadequate cattle populations,
lack of interest and constructional issues. Classification
and regression tree (CART) model was used to identify
the reasons and found that inadequate cattle population, coupled with socio-economic factors like declining
interest and migration were primary barriers to sustained biogas plant functionality. These findings highlight
the urgent need for targeted interventions, including
technological upgrades and policy reforms, to enhance
biogas plant sustainability and foster rural energy resilience in hilly terrains. By addressing these challenges,
Himachal Pradesh can harness its rich agricultural resources more effectively, thereby advancing towards a
greener and more sustainable energy future and informing policymakers on enhancing biogas technology’s effectiveness in addressing energy poverty and
promoting sustainable practices in rural communities.