Zhongshan County Micro Hydro Project Bundle No.6

Audit Analysis

A small grid-connected micro-hydro project under Gold Standard with a well-calibrated ex-ante estimate (99% pro-rata delivery) and VVB-confirmed additionality. However, a PDD calculation error (10-year vs 7-year crediting period), a baseline-method contradiction between the verification and monitoring reports, and four outstanding corrective actions temper confidence in the underlying data quality.

Project Description

Red Flags

• ⚠The 2020 verification report records a material finding that the PDD overestimated emission reductions by using a 10-year crediting period instead of the correct 7-year period; the error was corrected but signals a weakness in the original quantification.
• ⚠The 2025 monitoring report labels the baseline as 'jurisdictional' while the 2020 verification report describes it as 'project'-specific — an unresolved inconsistency that could affect the validity of the displacement assumption.
• ⚠Four corrective actions remain open, including the need to provide EIA reports and local expert opinions to address renewable-energy activity requirements, suggesting the project's regulatory compliance documentation is incomplete.

Credit Vintages