Gutanhe 10 MW Hydropower Project in Yunnan Province

Audit Analysis

A small (10 MW) run-of-river hydropower project in Yunnan, China, registered under CDM using the simplified AMS-I.D methodology. Additionality is confirmed by a reputable VVB via an investment test, and the avoidance-based design carries no meaningful reversal risk. The main concerns are a set of four cross-document contradictions (baseline method, crediting period, leakage justification, and cumulative ERR), the absence of a verified ERR figure, and the use of a 2007 national grid emission factor in a hydro-rich province.

Project Description

Red Flags

• ⚠Four contradictions between the validation report (2010) and the 2014 monitoring report on baseline method, crediting period, leakage justification, and cumulative ERR figures reduce confidence in data consistency
• ⚠Verified ERR figure is not stated in the extracted record, preventing independent confirmation of actual delivery against the 41,219 tCO₂e lifetime claim
• ⚠Grid emission factor of 0.84335 tCO₂/MWh (2007 national average) may overstate reductions for Yunnan Province, which has a significantly lower provincial grid factor due to its hydro-heavy generation mix
• ⚠Eleven corrective actions were required at validation, including revisions to the crediting period start date and emission reduction figures, indicating the original PDD contained material errors

Credit Vintages