M-DEV0396: Deviation to comply with the Proced. for renewal of the crediting period (EB 46 annex 11)

AM0045: Grid connection of isolated electricity systems

The CDM project activity Celtins and Cemat grid connection of isolated systems (Ref.1067) is currently being validated in order to request the renewal of its crediting period. It applies the approved methodology AM0045 - Grid connection of isolated electricity systems, version 2.
Following the guidance provided by the “Procedures for renewal of the crediting period of a registered CDM project activity”, only sections of the project design document (CDM-PDD) related to the baseline, estimated emission reductions and the monitoring plan need to be updated (Section B, paragraph 2). Yet the procedure explicitly mentions in its 3rd paragraph the following:
“The demonstration of the validity of the original baseline or its update does not require a reassessment of the baseline scenario, but rather an assessment of the emissions which would have resulted from that scenario.”
Nevertheless, methodology AM0045 (version 2) provides the following recommendations to CDM Project Activity requesting the renewal of the crediting period:
“In order to assess the continued validity of the baseline, project participants should apply the procedure to determine the most plausible baseline scenario, (…).”
The above recommendation implicates in reassessing the baseline scenario thus not following the procedure as quoted above.
Furthermore, in paragraph 31st of EB56 Meeting Report it was requested by the board to the meth panel “to adjust all methodologies which are identified as not complying with the Board ruling on the reassessment of baseline emission by removing reference to the reassessment of the baseline scenario.”
This request for deviation, in accordance with the EB56’s request, aims at applying the provisions of the procedure (EB 46, Annex 11) as outlined above instead of the prescription of the methodology.

This request does not directly require an amendment to the approved methodology but rather, as determined by the Board in its 56th meeting, in the following revisions of the methodology this adjustment should be considered.

As recommended by the “Procedures for renewal of the crediting period of a registered CDM project activity” the baseline scenario shall not be updated. In addition, this procedure recommends that baseline parameters shall be updated for the subsequent crediting period, as needed. This is in line with the Board’s recommendation. Hence, possible impacts are related to the update of some parameters (e.g. emission factor of the grid) rather than this request for deviation.