Assessment of key factors affecting utilization of biomass co-firing technology in Vietnam's coal-fired power plants: A multi-criteria decision-making analysis

: Biomass co-firing technology is considered a transitional pathway for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants while utilizing abundant agricultural residues in Vietnam. However, the feasibility of developing this technology is affected by technical, economic, environmental, and institutional factors, so it requires a comprehensive and reliable assessment method that has not yet been implemented. This paper presents a multi-criteria decision-making method that combines SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate the potential for implementing biomass co-firing technology in coal-fired power plants in Vietnam. The research proposed evaluation criteria tailored to Vietnamese conditions and quantified the importance of each factor using pairwise comparison in AHP. The results show that key factors related to support policies, biomass supply stability, and investment cost for technology upgrading have the greatest influence on the feasibility of technology deployment. The study provides scientific evidence to inform low-emission energy policy planning and can serve as a decision-support tool for Vietnam's energy sector.