Conversion of existing open cycle gas turbine to combined cycle at the Central Termica Patagonia power station, Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina

Audit Analysis

A CDM combined-cycle conversion project in Argentina with VVB-confirmed additionality and a jurisdictional baseline, but undermined by 13 corrective action requests, a three-way grid emission factor discrepancy (0.419, 0.49, 0.63 tCO₂/MWh), and a baseline-method contradiction between monitoring reports. The project delivered roughly 99% of its pro-rata expectation for the 7-month monitoring period, and all corrective actions were resolved, but the volume of monitoring deficiencies and data inconsistencies limit confidence in the underlying MRV.

Project Description

Red Flags

• ⚠Three different grid emission factor values appear across documents: 0.419 (2010 monitoring report), 0.49 (project proponent, noted in material findings), and 0.63 (2013 monitoring report) — a 50% spread that materially affects the credit quantity
• ⚠13 Corrective Action Requests and 4 Clarification Requests were raised during verification, covering missing monitoring parameters (NCVi, EFCO2,i, OXIDi), non-independent meters, unaccounted diesel emissions, and calibration gaps
• ⚠Baseline method is reported as 'jurisdictional' in the 2013 monitoring report but as 'project' in the 2010 monitoring report — an unresolved contradiction that affects the validity of the baseline
• ⚠Crediting period differs between the PDD (2008-06-01 to 2015-05-31) and the 2013 monitoring report (2009-05-31 to 2016-05-30), creating ambiguity about the actual project duration

Credit Vintages