Teesta Low Dam Project, Stage-IV

Audit Analysis

The Teesta Low Dam Stage-IV is a registered VCS hydro project with a fundamentally sound design (grid displacement, no reversal risk), but its verification record is marred by an extensive list of material findings, 19 corrective actions, a 2014 grid emission factor, and a VVB that failed to perform several required assessments. Data quality issues—including missing generation data, calibration gaps, and multiple deviations in data sourcing—undermine confidence in the reported emission reductions.

Project Description

Red Flags

• ⚠The 2024 verification report lists 24 material findings, including the VVB's failure to assess the project proponent, project start date, legal compliance, and ownership as required by the VCS Validation Report Template
• ⚠The common practice additionality analysis relied on a Kyoto Protocol ratification date as a time constraint, which the VVB was required to re-conduct (CAR)
• ⚠The grid emission factor of 0.9678 tCO2/MWh is from 2014 and has not been updated in the available documents
• ⚠Missing generation data for October/November 2019, April 2020, and March 2021, plus a complete plant shutdown in 2017 (July–September) due to agitations
• ⚠Multiple deviations were requested to substitute 'Deviation Settlement Account' records for the methodology-required electricity meter data, and calibration reports for import meters were unavailable

Credit Vintages