Wind Power Project in Mondul Kiri Province, Cambodia

Global Environment Centre Foundation(GEC)

Reports of CDM/JI Feasibility Studies

Title of the researchWind Power Project in Mondul Kiri Province, Cambodia
FYFY 2004
Main research organizationMarubeni Corporation
Research partner(s)Japan: The General Environmental Technos Co., Ltd. (Providing overall advisory for drafting a PDD)
The host country: The Ministry of Technology and Resources (cooperating with a F/S and providing information on the Project site)
Location of the projectKingdom of Cambodia, Mondul Kiri Province, Cambodia
Summary of the research report (PDF)Summary(44kb)
Description of the projectThe Project aims to implement as a small-scale project for renewable energy development using wind and solar power in the highlands of Mondul Kiri Province (the Province), Cambodia.

Last year our company proposed a rubber tree afforestation project in Mondul Kiri Province as CDM project, where feasibility study (F/S) was conducted this year. In order to implement the afforestation project, we consider that electrification of the project region with no access to electricity is indispensable. This is the reason why we proposed a project for renewable energy development using wind and solar power as a small-scale project. This Project places importance on contributing to sustainable development in local communities and improving the quality of local people’s lives.
GHGCO2
Sector of the projectRenewable Energy (Wind Power)
CDM/JICDM
Duration of the project activity/ crediting period30 years
Baseline methodology/additionality1) Baseline identificatoin
The Project qualifies as a small-scale CDM project because 1.4 MW planned capacity of renewable energy generators is less than 15 MW threshold required to be qualified as a small-scale CDM project and there exist the barriers mentioned above. As this Project falls onto the project category Type I.A. (Renewable Energy Projects/Electricity generation by the user) according to the guidelines for the small-scale CDM project activities, it is assumed that electricity generating by diesel is the most feasible baseline scenario (this produces more GHG emissions than this CDM Project scenario).

2) Additionality
The barriers demonstrated below that prevent this project from being implemented proves additionality of this CDM project.
  • Investment barriers: This project has substantially low profitability and the project site is located in the most underdeveloped remote areas in Cambodia.
  • Technical barriers: Cambodia has not experienced this newest technology (a hybrid system comprising a vertical-sail-axle-type wind turbine generator and a photovoltaic generator) and lacks in experience in implementing and maintaining the technology.
Estimation of GHG emissionsGHG emission reductions by this Project calculated under the present assumptions (1.4MW for the total installed capacity, 20% for the load factor, the default value 20% for distribution losses, the default value 0.9kgCO2e/kW for emission coefficient of diesel generation units) are estimated at 2,759tCO2/y.
Monitoring methodologyThe monitoring methodology for project type I.A. (Renewable Energy Projects and Electricity generation by the user) is applicable. In other words, the actual amount of electricity generated by the hybrid generation facilities constructed in villages of the Project boundary is measured and recorded electronically, and the total recorded data is monitored as the actual amount of electricity for the entire Project.
Environmental impact
  • This project introduces small hybrid generation facilities (10-20kW) using wind and solar power to each village, and environmental impacts such as noise, vibration, discharged water, effluent gas and so on are not expected.
  • The pilot hybrid system was introduced on trial in Pu Tru village in November 2004. Two months later, in January 2005, we revisited the village and directly confirmed that no particular environmental impact had occurred so far.
Issues and tasks for project implementation
  • Because it is the most promising that this Project is implemented together with the rubber tree afforestation CDM project, which F/S was conducted for last year and now is under consideration for implementation.
  • Because expected IRR of this Project indicates very low value of around 1 % even with CERs, how much profitability is improved by a CDM project alone should be examined in association with electricity rates.
  • We should examine closely the possible impact on the electrification of local communities with no access to the electricity to date.
  • In this Project, batteries containing lead that may cause environmental pollution are incorporated in the electricity power generation units. A recovering and recycling system of old batteries exhausted in a few years should be established as a local business if possible.
  • This project focuses on wind and solar power as renewable energy. However, it became clear through the feasibility study with site visits that there exist a number of villages available for micro-hydro projects and biomass projects (using livestock excreta). CDM projects utilizing all kinds of renewable energy available in the area should be developed eventually.