India - Village of Jari, on the Malana river, state of Himachal Pradesh. (coordinates: 32°06’26’’ N, 77°26’03’’ E).
Project type:
Carbon offset – Renewable energy.
Development methodology:
ACM 0002/version 06, “Consolidated baseline methodology for grid connected electricity generation from renewable sources“, published by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Validation:
Auditor: TÜV Nord CERT, 25/04/2007.
Verification :
Auditor: TÜV Nord CERT, 05/06/2008.
Background:
Malana is a tribal village considered as one of the oldest democracies in the world, at the heart of Himachal Pradesh. The region is surrounded by forests and mountains, topped by the Malana glacier. The project consists in replacing the highly fossil fuel consuming thermal power plants of Kullu District by a so-called “run-of-river” hydroelectric power plant.
Description:
The facility of a so-called “run-of-river” 2 x 43 MW hydroelectric power plant was carried out on the Malana River, in the village of Jari. The plant’s activity brought about new sources of income in the region by creating jobs. No population displacement was carried out.
As opposed to hydraulic fill dams, the plant got fully integrated into the existing environment and neither required pondage nor gave rise to any inundation. The impact on wildlife and flora is nil.
Run-of-river Malana
Technology:
The “run-of-river” technology allows installing infrastructures on a portion of water courses, without having to divert them or to create dams or pondages. The project implies the construction of a 2 X 43 MW hydroelectric power plant.
Carbon credit type: VER
Standard: VCS
Project benefits:
Environmental benefits:
Fight against climate change by using clean and renewable energy.
Reduction of atmospheric pollution in the valley and of environmental problems resulting thereof.
The plant got integrated into the existing environment and neither required pondage nor gave rise to any inundation.
Economic and social benefits:
The plant’s activity brought about new sources of income in the region, while creating jobs (plant’s construction and maintenance).
Preservation of local communities: no population displacement was required.
Additional creation of jobs (local economic players benefit from a reliable and sustainable source of electricity).
A nonprofit trust was set up by Bilwhara Group as part of the program. It has been implementing a program to safeguard the Parbati River’s banks, of which Malana is one branch. It has also participated in the renovation and building of schools in neighboring communities.
EcoAct Guaranties:
Carbon credits registry: Caisse des Depots.
EcoAct is entitled to audit the project at any time.
The project bearer has subscribed for liability insurance.
EcoAct is assisted by a dedicated consultant in India, Mr. Gorakh Sirsikar.
EcoAct has a recognized expertise of this kind of projects (« run-of-river » hydraulic power plants).
