Electricity generation from renewable sources - Windfarms Santa Clara I, Santa Clara II, Santa Clara III, Santa Clara IV, Santa Clara V, Santa Clara VI and Eurus VI

Audit Analysis

A Brazilian wind farm project under CDM with a jurisdictional baseline and VVB-confirmed additionality, but the validation process surfaced serious calculation errors in grid emission factors, plant load factor evidence, and benchmark methodology that undermine confidence in the reported emission reductions. Multiple corrective actions were required, and the absence of verified ERR figures and several key monitoring parameters limits the ability to confirm actual delivery against claims.

Project Description

Red Flags

• ⚠CAR 01: Grid emission factor values applied in ER calculations were found to be incoherent with the supporting evidence provided, a fundamental issue for a wind project where the grid EF drives all reduction calculations
• ⚠Nine corrective actions were required covering PLF evidence, project start date, emission factor methodology, benchmark/WACC calculation, investment analysis, sensitivity analysis, and monitoring plan QA/QC — indicating systemic weaknesses in the project documentation
• ⚠PDD tracking changes were not provided as required by CDM instructions (CL 01), and the one-year-eight-month delay in project start was not sufficiently justified (CL 02)
• ⚠Verified ERR figures are not stated in the extracted record, preventing independent confirmation of actual delivery against the 826,194 tCO2e claimed

Credit Vintages