GROUPED OFF GRID RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT IN INDIA

GROUPED OFF GRID RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT IN INDIA

Swiss Carbon Value Ltd.

Project Title Grouped Off Grid Renewable Energy Project in India

Version 1.2

Date of Issue 16th September 2019

Project Location India

Project Proponent(s) Swiss Carbon Value Ltd., Renat Heuberger, [email protected]

Signify, Robert Slooten, [email protected]

Assessor Contact KBS Certification Services Pvt. Ltd.

Project Lifetime 01 April 2017 – 31 March 2037; 20-years lifetime

History of SD VISta Status

N/A

Other Certification Programs

Verified Carbon Standard - 1857

Expected Future Assessment Schedule

For the monitoring period 01/04/2017 to 31/08/2019, first verification planned in September 2019.

CONTENTS

1 SUMMARY OF SDG CONTRIBUTIONS .................................................................. 3

2 PROJECT DESIGN ................................................................................................. 4 2.1 Project Objectives, Context and Long-term Viability ................................................... 4 2.2 Stakeholder Engagement .............................................................................................. 19 2.3 Project Management ..................................................................................................... 24

3 BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE AND PROSPERITY ........................................................... 27 3.1 Condition of Stakeholders at Project Start ................................................................... 27

3.2 Expected Impacts on Stakeholders .............................................................................. 27 3.3 Stakeholder Monitoring Plan ........................................................................................ 28 3.4 Net Positive Stakeholder Well-being Impacts .............................................................. 29

4 BENEFITS FOR THE PLANET .................................................................................. 32 4.1 Condition of Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services at Project Start .................... 32 4.2 Expected Impacts on Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services ............................... 32 4.3 Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services Monitoring Plan ......................................... 32 4.4 Net Positive Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services Impacts ................................. 32

APPENDIX 1 ................................................................................................................... 33

APPENDIX 2 ................................................................................................................... 34

Project Description: SD VISta Version 1

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1 SUMMARY OF SDG CONTRIBUTIONS Table 1: Summary of Project SDG Contributions

Row

num

ber

Estimated Project Contribution by the End of Project Lifetime S

DG

Tar

get

SDG Indicator Net Impact on SDG Indicator

Section Reference C

laim

, Ass

et

or L

abel

1) The project will supply approximately 40 MWh of clean electricity to households in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and replace fossil fuel-based Diesel Generators.

7.1 7.1.1 Proportion of population with access to electricity

Increase

Section 3.3

Claim

2) The project will create approximately 57 jobs for permanent position and boost the local economy.

8.5 Number of jobs created during the project activity

Create job opportunities to decrease unemployment

Section 3.3

Claim

3) By replacing fossil fuel-based power generation devices with clean decentralized energy, the project will generate approximately 383,658 tCO2e of emission reductions

13 Tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions avoided or removed

Decrease carbon emissions

Section 5 SD VISta-labeled VCU


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2 PROJECT DESIGN 2.1 Project Objectives, Context and Long-term Viability

Summary of Project Sustainable Development Objective(s)

The project participants designs, builds and operates decentralised off-grid renewable energy power plants in unelectrified or partially electrified and predominantly rural areas in India. The project activity objective to address the key issues related to energy access in rural India by providing 24 hours affordable power. The project employs an efficient decentralized hybrid mini-grid system which is grid-compatible and 100% "theft proof" that meets global standards and can be rolled out rapidly and cost effectively to help meet national electrification goals. This project activity is being implemented mainly in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with a possibility of replication in other neighbouring states in India. The proposed project activity develops renewable energy power plants using hybrid sources of Solar PV – Biomass – Battery technologies upto a cumulative installed capacity of 15 mega-Watts (MW). The proposed project will be developed as a grouped project activity with an installed capacity of 19-50kW per unit (Solar/Biomass) and a generation capacity of approx. 40MWh per site per year. Project activity can supply excess power to national grid. The main users of this generated power are Households, shops, small businesses and small factories.

Generating power from off grid system is a clean technology as it avoids burning of fossil fuels and thereby mitigates GHG emission during the process. In the absence of project activity, the baseline situation for the source of electricity in the region included diesel generators and fossil fuel fired grid with availability below 30%. Hence, with the proposed project activity, an estimated amount of GHG emission reduction 38,366 tCO2e/year is expected. The project owners will implement 300 plants by end of 2021 and the overall emission reduction from project will be 383,658 tCO2e in 10 years. Upcoming will be added in the same project activity after fulfilling the applicability criteria of project activity and methodology AMS I.F. version 3.

The project addresses the three pillars of sustainable development and the SDGs and will have the following objectives:

Social Well Being - SDG 8

• The project serves as skill enhancement and technology transfer opportunity for the nearby communities as it employs local labour and trains them in project operation and maintenance. The Project Proponent is authorized by National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) to train and certify solar technicians to promote clean tech jobs.

Economic Well Being - SDG 8

• The project aims to increase the disposable income of the villagers as they will reduce their expenditure on diesel fuel.

• As the employment opportunities in the region is low, the project aims to recruit villagers


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and community member for operating the daily project activities and thereby provide jobs

• The project aims to development of small-time businesses such as, machine shops, rewinding works, shops and stores with supply of 24hr sustainable electricity.

Environmental Well Being – SDG 7 & SDG 13

• The power generation due to the hybrid solar-rice husk off grid plants result in no emission i.e GHG and particulate matter both.

The project participant has implemented 63 plants and is planning to commission 300 plants by end of 2021. All other plants in future will be included as part of this grouped projects and will be included in this programme as a project activity. Details of plant already commissioned are provided in section 2.1.7.

Description of the Project Activity

The project proponents address the key issues related to energy access in rural India by providing 24 hours affordable power. The project employs an efficient decentralized hybrid mini-grid system which is grid-compatible and 100% "theft proof" that meets global standards and can be rolled out rapidly and cost effectively to help meet national electrification goals.

The project is a grouped off grid renewable energy project and includes electricity generation through solar PV – Biomass – Battery hybrid power plant technologies. The solar PV uses thin film or multi crystalline panels while the locally sourced biomass is used in a down draft gasifier system to provide base load requirements at any time of the day irrespective of whether it is morning or evening, or the Sun is shining or not. Each of these hybrid power plants are capable of producing grid compatible 24x7 power throughout the year.

The project activity addresses the sustainable development objectives as mentioned in section 2.1.1 by:

Social Well Being

• The project will conduct several skill enhancement and technology transfer trainings for all its employees especially those hired from local villages and help them develop their skills.

Economic Well Being

• Villagers will be able to save more by purchasing clean electricity than buying diesel fuel

• The project will provide job opportunities to villagers and community members as technical and administrative staffs at the project sites.

Environmental Well Being

• The project will supply clean electricity to the local residents and communities and will reduce the dependence on unavailable fossil fuel-based electricity


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Implementation Schedule

Date Milestone(s) in the Project’s Development and Implementation

Apr-17 Commissioning of Chanpatia plant (HINBR-01-01) of capacity 62 kw

Apr-17 Commissioning of Gurwaliya plant (HINUP-01-05) of capacity 54 kw

Apr-17 Commissioning of Jataha plant (HINUP-01-01) of capacity 51 kw

Apr-17 Commissioning of Kathkuiyan plant (HINUP-01-02) of capacity 53.85 kw

Apr-17 Commissioning of Kubersthan plant (HINUP-01-03) of capacity 53.85 kw

Apr-17 Commissioning of Mansachapar plant (HINUP-01-04) of capacity 21.85 kw

Apr-17 Commissioning of Piprakothi plant (HINBR-01-05) of capacity 52 kw

Apr-17 Commissioning of Sariswa plant (HINBR-01-02) of capacity 30 kw

Apr-17 Commissioning of Tamkuhiraj plant (HINUP-01-07) of capacity 21.85 kw

Apr-17 Commissioning of Bada Atariya plant (100001) of capacity 23.6 kw

Apr-17 Commissioning of Chota Atariya plant (100002) of capacity 18.9 kw

Apr-17 Commissioning of Kasira plant (100003) of capacity 32.7 kw

Apr-17 Commissioning of Kulabira plant (100004) of capacity 32.7 kw

Feb-18 Commissioning of Khirkiyan plant (HINUP-01-06) of capacity 30 kw

Feb-18 Commissioning of Gunia plant (300001) of capacity 23.6 kw

Feb-18 Commissioning of Jargatoli plant (300002) of capacity 23.6 kw

Feb-18 Commissioning of Pandariya plant (300005) of capacity 18.9 kw

Feb-18 Commissioning of Patia plant (300004) of capacity 23.6 kw

Feb-18 Commissioning of Tigra plant (300003) of capacity 18.9 kw

Jun-18 Commissioning of Basua plant (300021) of capacity 23.6 kw

Jun-18 Commissioning of Kaliga plant (300023) of capacity 23.6 kw

Jun-18 Commissioning of Rakamsera plant (300022) of capacity 18.9 kw

Jun-18 Commissioning of Samsera plant (300024) of capacity 18.9 kw


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Oct-18 Commissioning of Bhandariya plant (300034) of capacity 18.9 kw

Oct-18 Commissioning of Kutma plant (300032) of capacity 23.6 kw

Oct-18 Commissioning of Murkunda plant (300031) of capacity 28.2 kw

Oct-18 Commissioning of Phori plant (300033) of capacity 23.6 kw

Dec-18 Commissioning of Baniya Pur plant (HINBR-02-04) of capacity 35.25 kw

Dec-18 Commissioning of Dudahi plant (HINUP-01-10) of capacity 35.25 kw

Dec-18 Commissioning of Fazil Nagar plant (HINUP-01-11) of capacity 47 kw

Dec-18 Commissioning of Jalalpur plant (HINBR-02-01) of capacity 35.25 kw

Dec-18 Commissioning of Jokwa Bazaar plant (HINUP-01-09) of capacity 44.25 kw

Dec-18 Commissioning of Kotawa Bazaar plant (HINBR-01-04) of capacity 34.5 kw

Dec-18 Commissioning of Parsagargh plant (HINBR-02-03) of capacity 35.25 kw

Dec-18 Commissioning of Pipra Bazaar plant (HINBR-01-03) of capacity 34 kw

Dec-18 Commissioning of Puchheri Bazaar plant (HINBR-02-02) of capacity 35.25 kw

Dec-18 Commissioning of Turkpatti plant (HINUP-01-08) of capacity 35.25 kw

Feb-19 Commissioning of Barwatoli plant (300042) of capacity 23.6 kw

Feb-19 Commissioning of Rekma plant (300043) of capacity 23.6 kw

Feb-19 Commissioning of Taraguttu plant (300044) of capacity 18.9 kw

Feb-19 Commissioning of Tirra plant (300041) of capacity 18.9 kw

Mar-19 Commissioning of Sapaha plant (HINUP-02-01) of capacity 31.7 kw

Mar-19 Commissioning of Shivpur plant (HINUP-02-03) of capacity 31.7 kw

Apr-19 Commissioning of Fazilnagar02 plant (HINUP-02-06) of capacity 35.25 kw

Jun-19 Commissioning of Turkauliya plant (HINBR-01-06) of capacity 35.25 kw

Jun-19 Commissioning of Almanda plant (300054) of capacity 23.6 kw

Jun-19 Commissioning of Paharpranali plant (300053) of capacity 18.9 kw

Jun-19 Commissioning of Sawariya plant (300051) of capacity 18.9 kw

Jun-19 Commissioning of Semra-Kodeikhera plant (300055) of capacity 18.9 kw


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Jun-19 Commissioning of Shivrajpur plant (300052) of capacity 18.9 kw

Jun-19 Commissioning of Syamal-Asro plant (300056) of capacity 18.9 kw

Jul-19 Commissioning of Jaura Bazaar plant (HINUP-02-05) of capacity 35.25 kw

Jul-19 Commissioning of Naurangia plant (HINUP-01-12) of capacity 31.7 kw

Jul-19 Commissioning of Siswa Nahar plant (HINUP-02-12) of capacity 31.7 kw

Jul-19 Commissioning of Tarkulwa plant (HINUP-02-07) of capacity 31.7 kw

Aug-19 Commissioning of Baghauchghat plant (HINUP-02-08) of capacity 31.7 kw

Aug-19 Commissioning of Basantpur plant (HINBR-02-06) of capacity 35.25 kw

Aug-19 Commissioning of Bhagwanpur plant (HINBR-02-05) of capacity 35.25 kw

Aug-19 Commissioning of Ishuapur plant (HINBR-02-07) of capacity 35.25 kw

Aug-19 Commissioning of Salemgarh plant (HINUP-02-10) of capacity 31.7 kw

Aug-19 Commissioning of Samaur plant (HINUP-02-04) of capacity 35.25 kw

Aug-19 Commissioning of Tarya Sujan plant (HINUP-02-11) of capacity 31.7 kw

Project Proponent

Organization Name

Swiss Carbon Value Ltd

Role in the Project Project Participant

Contact Person Renat Heuberger

Title CEO

Address Technoparkstr 1, 8005 Zurich, Switzerland

Telephone +41-43 501 35 50

Email [email protected]


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Organization Name

Signify

Role in the Project Project Participant

Contact Person Robbert Slooten

Title Program Manager Sustainability

Address High Tech Campus 48-0A, 5656AE, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Telephone +31 6 54796247

Email [email protected]

Other Entities Involved in the Project

N/A

Project Type

The project is a grouped renewable energy type project which generates renewable electricity for captive use through mini grids. As per the Appendix 1 of SD Vista Standard the criteria for a grouped project is:

Criteria Number Criteria Justification

GP1.1 1. Adopt and implement the project activities in the same manner as specified in the project description.

The project will undergo a rigorous verification and validation by a third party VVB which will ensure that the project is implemented in the same manner as described in the project description

2. Where appropriate, meet the applicability conditions of the SD VISta asset methodology applied to a project.

The project activity is not claiming any SD-VISta asset, hence this criteria is not applicable.

3) Are subject to the same scenarios at project start

The project activity not indicate any direct negative


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with respect to stakeholders’ well-being as determined for initial project instance(s)

or positive impacts of project activities on stakeholders’ well-being.

4) Are subject to the same scenarios at project start with respect to natural capital and ecosystem services as determined for initial project instance(s)

The project activity not indicate any direct negative or positive impacts of project activities for natural capital and ecosystem services.

5) Are subject to the same processes for stakeholder engagement described in the project description.

The project activity engage stakeholders as describe in section 2.2.1 below.

6) Are subject to the same processes for respect for rights to lands, territories and resources – including free, prior and informed consent

Project proponents shall have the necessary approvals from appropriate authorities to claim ownership of the project’s benefits as represented in SD VISta project documentation. Or implement project on own land.

7) Have similar monitoring elements to those set out in the project description.

The project activity should have monitoring elements as describe in section 2.1.2.

GP 1.2 Be included in the monitoring report with sufficient technical, financial, geographic and other relevant information to demonstrate compliance with the applicable set of eligibility criteria and enable sampling by the VVB.

The monitoring report will include sufficient technical, financial, geographic and other relevant information to demonstrate compliance with the applicable set of eligibility criteria and will be verified and validated by a VVB.

Comply with at least one complete set of eligibility criteria for the inclusion of new project activity instances. Partial compliance with multiple sets of eligibility criteria is insufficient.

The project will comply with the following eligibility criteria as mentioned in the PDD:

1. Each project activity should be based of technology solar, biomass or hybrid system


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2. Each project activity should not be more than 1 MW capacity.

3. Each project activity should not be supplying power to national grid

4. Each project activity should impact on enhanced technology transfer from fossil fuel based grid or DG set to renewable power

5. Each project activity should enhance the job opportunity for local community

Be validated at the time of verification against the applicable set of eligibility criteria.

The project will be validated at the time of verification by a third party VVB.

Have evidence of project ownership, in respect of each project activity instance, held by the project proponent from the respective start date of each project activity instance (i.e., the date upon which the project activity instance implemented activities that lead to the generation of sustainable development benefits).

Each individual project under the Grouped project will have documented evidence on ownership, start and commissioning dates and the project activities and its sustainable development benefits.

Have a start date that is the same as or later than the grouped project start date.

Each project will have a project start date which will either be same or later than the start date of the grouped project.


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Be eligible for accounting for project benefits to be used as SD VISta assets, where applicable, from the start date of the instance until the end of a project’s crediting period (only). Note that were a new project activity instance starts in a previous verification period, no asset may be issued for benefits created during a previous verification period unless it is of a different benefit type from the SD VISta asset that has already been issued from that period.

The project will ensure that it is eligible for accounting for project benefits to be used as SD VISta assets, where applicable, from the start date of the instance until the end of a project’s crediting period (only).

GP1.3 A grouped project shall be described in a single project description, which shall include a description of the central monitoring and management system.

The project has an established central monitoring and management system which has also been provided in the project design document VCS 1857.

Project Location The project is located in different states in India. The current installed plant location, their GPS coordinates and details are:

Table 1: Project site details

Plant Name Latitude Longitude

Date of Commissioning

Unique Id State Technolog

y

Capacity (Solar in kWp)

Capacity (Biomass in kW)

Almanda 23˚02’51.29”

84˚44’43.91” Jun-19 3000

54 Jharkh

and Solar 23.6


13




y



Bada Atariya

23°07' 54. 56"

84°38' 01. 06" Apr-17 1000

01 Jharkh

and Solar 23.6

Baghauchghat

26.582828°N

84.009729°E Aug-19

HINUP-02-

08 UP Solar 31.7

Baniya Pur

25.9900°N

84.6872°

E Dec-18

HINBR-02-

04 Bihar Solar 35.25

Barwatoli 23˚09’13.0”

84˚36’41.2” Feb-19 3000

42 Jharkh

and Solar 23.6

Basantpur 26.16655°N

84.67006°E Aug-19

HINBR-02-


Basua 23°08' 24. 68"

84°34' 09. 49" Jun-18 3000

21 Jharkh

and Solar 23.6

Bhagwanpur

26.0975014°N

84.6571713°E Aug-19

HINBR-02-


Bhandariya

23°06' 36.59"

84°38'24.22" Oct-18 3000

34 Jharkh

and Solar 18.9

Chanpatia 26.9504°N

84.5439°

E Apr-17

HINBR-01-

01 Bihar Solar+Bio

mass 40 32

Chota Atariya

23°08' 06. 61"

84°38' 06. 94" Apr-17 1000

02 Jharkh

and Solar 18.9

Dudahi 26.7977°N

84.1503°

E Dec-18

HINUP-01-

10 UP Solar 35.25

Fazil Nagar

26.6844°N

84.04845

°E Dec-18

HINUP-01-

11 UP Solar 47

Fazilnagar02

26.6844°N

84.04845

°E Apr-19

HINUP-02-

06 UP Solar 35.25

Gunia 23°10' 17. 84"

84°35' 15. 36" Feb-18 3000

01 Jharkh

and Solar 23.6

Gurwaliya 26.7514°N

84.1005°

E Apr-17

HINUP-01-

05 UP Solar+Bio

mass 22 32

Ishuapur 26.028638°N

84.798594°E Aug-19

HINBR-02-


Jalalpur 25.9114°N

84.6910°

E Dec-18

HINBR-02-



14




y



Jargatoli 23°10' 17. 84"

84°35' 15. 36" Feb-18 3000

02 Jharkh

and Solar 23.6

Jataha 27.0644°N

83.9918°

E Apr-17

HINUP-01-

01 UP Solar+Bio

mass 19 32

Jaura Bazaar

26.645778°N

83.986387°E Jul-19

HINUP-02-

05 UP Solar 35.25

Jokwa Bazaar

26.6918°N

84.0131°

E Dec-18

HINUP-01-

09 UP Solar 44.25

Kaliga 23°01' 36. 82"

84°44' 11. 92" Jun-18 3000

23 Jharkh

and Solar 23.6

Kasira 23°02' 58. 59"

84°41' 05. 0"8 Apr-17 1000

03 Jharkh

and Solar 32.7

Kathkuiyan

26.8589°N

84.0538°

E Apr-17

HINUP-01-

02 UP Solar+Bio

mass 21.85 32

Khirkiyan 26.9232°N

84.0170°

E Feb-18

HINUP-01-

06 UP Solar 30

Kotawa Bazaar

26.5178°N

84.8371°

E Dec-18

HINBR-01-

04 Bihar Solar 34.5

Kubersthan

26.808313°N

84.040256°E Apr-17

HINUP-01-

03 UP Solar+Bio

mass 21.85 32

Kulabira 23°03' 54. 85"

84°40' 58. 75" Apr-17 1000

04 Jharkh

and Solar 32.7

Kutma 22°59' 26. 19"

84°42' 19. 37" Oct-18 3000

32 Jharkh

and Solar 23.6

Mansachapar

26.9606°N

83.9927°

E Apr-17

HINUP-01-

04 UP Solar 21.85

Murkunda 22°59' 10. 16"

84°40' 34. 74" Oct-18 3000

31 Jharkh

and Solar 28.2

Naurangia 27.03955°N

83.895961°E Jul-19

HINUP-01-

12 UP Solar 31.7

Paharpranali

23˚03’46.47”

84˚30’09.76” Jun-19 3000

53 Jharkh

and Solar 18.9

Pandariya 23°04' 12. 79"

84°39' 30. 83" Feb-18 3000

05 Jharkh

and Solar 18.9

Parsagargh

26.0056°N

84.5658°

E Dec-18

HINBR-02-



15




y



Patia 23°03' 44. 56"

84°42' 35. 21" Feb-18 3000

04 Jharkh

and Solar 23.6

Phori 23°06' 41.25"

84°35' 43. 37" Oct-18 3000

33 Jharkh

and Solar 23.6

Pipra Bazaar

26.4897°N

84.9768°

E Dec-18

HINBR-01-

03 Bihar Solar+Bio

mass 34

Piprakothi 26.557319°N

84.932705°E Apr-17

HINBR-01-

05 Bihar Solar+Bio

mass 20 32

Puchheri Bazaar

25.9509°N

84.6836°

E Dec-18

HINBR-02-


Rakamsera

23°00' 59. 78"

84°41' 13. 42" Jun-18 3000

22 Jharkh

and Solar 18.9

Rekma 22˚59’28.4”

84˚43’17.6” Feb-19 3000

43 Jharkh

and Solar 23.6

Salemgarh

26.622312°N

84.256124°E Aug-19

HINUP-02-

10 UP Solar 31.7

Samaur 26.636119°N

84.130697°E Aug-19

HINUP-02-

04 UP Solar 35.25

Samsera 23°01' 36. 82"

84°42' 10. 33" Jun-18 3000

24 Jharkh

and Solar 18.9

Sapaha 26.753966°N

83.959908 °E Mar-19

HINUP-02-

01 UP Solar 31.7

Sariswa 26.8769°N

84.6327°

E Apr-17

HINBR-01-

02 Bihar Solar+Bio

mass 30

Sawariya 23˚09’14.58”

84˚33’02.65” Jun-19 3000

51 Jharkh

and Solar 18.9

Semra-Kodeikher

a

23˚04’39.36”

84˚44’40.91” Jun-19 3000

55

Jharkhand Solar 18.9

Shivpur 26.80492

3°N

83.973651°E

Mar-19 HINUP-02-

03 UP Solar 31.7

Shivrajpur 23˚11’51.05”

84˚30’34.16” Jun-19 3000

52 Jharkh

and Solar 18.9

Siswa Nahar

26.6432163°N

84.3365623°E Jul-19

HINUP-02-

12 UP Solar 31.7

Syamal-Asro

23˚05’29.97”

84˚42’55.42” Jun-19 3000

56 Jharkh

and Solar 18.9


16




y



Tamkuhiraj

26.6924°N

84.1801°

E Apr-17

HINUP-01-

07 UP Solar+Bio

mass 21.85 32 KW

Taraguttu 23˚11’07.0”

84˚35’54.4” Feb-19 3000

44 Jharkh

and Solar 18.9

Tarkulwa 26.621157°N

83.897524°E Jul-19

HINUP-02-

07 UP Solar 31.7

Tarya Sujan

26.656673°N

84.275737°E Aug-19

HINUP-02-

11 UP Solar 31.7

Tigra 23°07' 43. 69"

84°36' 59. 33" Feb-18 3000

03 Jharkh

and Solar 18.9

Tirra 22˚58’52.4”

84˚41’33.8” Feb-19 3000

41 Jharkh

and Solar 18.9

Turkauliya 26.609878°N

84.822601°E Jun-19

HINBR-01-


Turkpatti 26.7612°N

84.0620°

E Dec-18

HINUP-01-

08 UP Solar 35.25

Baseline Scenario

The socio-economic situation prior to the project start was: Social Well Being

• Unemployment rate in India increasing day by day, in April 2019 it was 7.9%1 and in Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand it was 6.4%, 7.2 and 7.7% respectively in FY 2017-182. Prior to the start of the project, majority of the population were either employed in agriculture sector or were running small shops.

• Prior to the project start the people in the communities depended on fossil fuel-based grid electricity availability which was less than 30% (5-6 hours per day3) or use of DG sets.

Economic Well Being

1 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/economy/india-s-unemployment-rate-doubled-in-two-years-soe-in-figures-64953 2 https://www.businesstoday.in/sectors/jobs/unemployment-rate-states-nsso-report-unemployment-rate-worse-in-11-states-compared-to-national-average-report/story/336646.html. . 3 Based on baseline survey


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• Villagers had to spend a INR 434 per month per person on purchasing diesel for DG sets

Environmental Well Being

• The electricity consumed from the DG sets or grid resulted in significant carbon emissions released to the atmosphere resulting in deterioration of the environment.

Causal Chain(s)

Threats to the Project

Some of the threats identified associated with the project activity are:

• Availability of biomass: Even though biomass constitutes less than 3% of the electricity generation in the total electricity produced by the off-grid plant, the availability of biomass can pose as a limited threat to project operation and could impact the total electricity generation. To mitigate biomass availability risk project owner has implemented Biomass projects in that region where biomass can be easily available.

• Solar Panel Maintenance: There can be many factors such as extreme weather conditions (hail, snow, storm, severe cold, overcast skies etc.) and external stress which can result in ineffective working and physical damage of the solar panels, thereby leading to negative impact of project operation. Project owner is doing regular maintenance and checkup of the plant to mitigate the external factor issue which can impact plant operation.


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• Consent from the village community: Since the project will be situated in remote areas in villages, consent of villagers is absolutely important for the project to work. Hence, any conflict with the communities in any regard can pose as a threat to project longevity. Project owner time to time taking feedback from village head and informed them about the grievance redress procedure.

Benefit Permanence

The lifetime of each solar panel and therefore the project is 25 years, after which the project participant will replace with new solar panels. The project participant will also oversee the financing requirements for functioning of the project during and after its lifetime and will update and impart regular knowledge and training to its employees to maintain continuity of the benefits from the project.


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2.2 Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder Identification

Stakeholders were identified on the basis of two factor i.e. their level of involvement in the project activity either directly or indirectly. Direct stakeholders are those stakeholders who is purchasing power from project owner and directly impacted by project activity. Indirect stakeholders are those stakeholders who is not purchasing power from project owner but some how impacted by project activity.

• Stakeholders who have a direct involvement with the project: These were people from Husk Power who are developing the project at the site and the villagers and community members (like farmers, business owners, shop owners etc.) who will be purchasing the power from the off-grid plant at that site and directly impacted by project activity.

• Stakeholders who have an indirect involvement with the project: These were stakeholders who were not directly related to purchasing or supplying the power, but were indirectly involved for special certifications or objectives such as any consultants or third-party agencies like Swiss Carbon Value Ltd.

Stakeholder Description

Stakeholder groups (Direct/Indirect affected by project activity)

Relevance to the project

Residents (Direct) Part of the local community near the project site who will buy the electricity from the off-grid electricity project

Small business/shop owners (Direct) Part of the local community near the project site who will buy the electricity from the off-grid electricity project

Site Engineers from Husk Power System Pvt Ltd. (Appointed from local community) (Direct)

Project participant

Senior officials from Husk Power System Pvt Ltd (Indirect)

Project participant

Representatives from Swiss Carbon Value (Indirect)

Project participant

Stakeholder Consultation

The stakeholder consultation process was done as follows:


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1. A circular was issued one week prior to the actual meeting to invite people for the stakeholder consultation

2. The interactive meeting with the stake holders was conducted on 28th November 2018 at Husk Power Plant in Village: Kubersthan, District: Kushinagar State: Uttar Pradesh.

3. The interactive meeting had the following structure:

- Introduction about project activity and agenda of stakeholder consultation- By Mr Nikhil Murarka (Head of Engineering, Husk Power System)

- About carbon programme – By Mr Rohit Garg (Project Manager, Swiss Carbon Value Ltd.)

- Interactive session receiving comments

- Cost, Risk and benefits of projects discussed

As per the stakeholder feedback forms, all feedback received were positive and the inputs did not the overall project design. The interactive session provided for clarification of issues related to operation of project activity in that region. The summary outcome of the interactive meeting is tabulated below: The names of the persons initiating the discussion is given in bracket.

Sr. No.

Issue Discussed Outcome of the discussion

1. Will there be employment opportunities? (Sanjay Kumar – Village Kubersthan, Kushinagar)

The locality has already seen lot of employment generation in the last decade. Husk Power explained that local people will be trained for O&M and security.

2. Will ecology like water, sand be affected? (Sidharth Kushwaha – Village Jataha bazar, Kushinagar)

In the past there has not been any water level depletion or soil erosion due to solar or biomass power plant.

3. What will be cost of per unit electricity? (Anup Srivastava – village Kubersthan, Kushinagar) Cost of electricity will

depend on connected load. Husk power has tariff


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structure at different connected load.

4. Will house holds nearby be affected (Bittu- village Jataha, Kushinagar) No negative impact on near

by household.

List of participants:

Stakeholder feedback forms

Continued Consultation and Adaptive Management

In order to have a continuing communication and consultation between the project proponents and stakeholder groups, the project proponents take monthly feedback and inputs from stakeholders and adapt management accordingly.

Each plant site has a dedicated site manager and care taker which oversees the day to day operations at the site. The site manager is recruited from the local community and can be easily approached by all villagers either in person or through phone. In case of any issue


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faced by any community member, they can inform or discuss with the site manager which takes note of the issue and informs the senior management to act on it.

Anti-Discrimination

The project does not and will not discriminate against individuals and employment of staffs is not based on gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or on any other basis. The project is aligned to India’s strategy for elimination of all discrimination. India ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination on 03/12/19684.

Worker Training

The project imparts frequent trainings to all its employees regarding safety and O&M at the plant. The trainings increase the technological capacity and knowledge enhancement of the workers and build skills.

The community members employed by the company receives continuous learning and training sessions which is an ongoing process on maintenance and safety of handling equipment. These trainings help the employees recruited from communities to build new skills and develop their capacity and knowledge.

Equal Work Opportunities

The Project has equal opportunity for women, men or any vulnerable/ marginalized community to contribute both in volunteer and working positions. The project proponent has a stipulated HR policy that takes into account participation by all forms of demographic. Further, the projects designed are implemented for equal participation by any gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion and race.

Workers’ Rights

The proponent assures that there will be no bonded or forced labor during construction and during the operation of the project activity. Uniform policy will be implemented for all employees. The project proponent confirms that all the fundamental rights of the employees will be respected. The rights of industrial trade unions and their members have been protected by law in India since 1926 by The Trade Unions Act, 1926. Working agreements with all individual workers are documented and implemented.

The host country is also a member of the ILO convention and has ratified six of the eight core ILO conventions5

4 http://nhrc.nic.in/documents/india_ratification_status.pdf

5 http://www.mfcindia.org/main/bgpapers/bgpapers2013/am/bgpap2013c.pdf


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In addition, project participant have their own dedicated HR and employee safety and well-being policy which informs them of their rights and lays down the ethics and professional code of conduct.

Occupational Safety Assessment

The project is in compliance with all relevant local and national laws. The Project does not threaten human health or environment and does not adversely affect the health of the workers and the community.

The project developer has taken relevant mitigation measures like equipping the necessary instruments such as safety shoes, gloves, helmets, glasses etc. to protect the health and safety of the employees as per National Policy on Safety, Health and Environment at Work Place of India. Also, the project proponent also its own dedicated safety policy which adheres to national standards.

The project proponent also ensures that all workers receive regular and constant training on electrical and material safety.

Feedback and Grievance Redress Procedure

In order to document the project’s feedback and grievance redress procedure the project has a dedicated email id and a toll-free number where any form of grievances can be reported. The stakeholders can also provide their feedback and improvements in-person at the project site.

The head of engineering will take necessary action on the issue raised by the stakeholder within 24 hours in consultation with the site engineer.

Particular Method Chosen (include all known details e.g location of book, phone, number, identity od mediator

Justification

Continuous Input / Grievance Expression Process Book

The input grievance book is kept by Mr. Nikhil Murarka (Head of Engineering, Husk Power System at 14-A Patliputra Colony Patna 800013, Bihar India

The input and grievance expression could be reflected via telephone, email or writing on grievance book. All the contact information would be announced to stakeholders.

Telephone Access Contact Person: Nikhil Murarka

Toll Free No: 1800 3134 522

Head of Engineering


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Internet/email access Contact Person: Nikhil Murarka

Email: [email protected]

Head of Engineering

Feedback and Grievance Redress Procedure Accessibility

The contact details for the grievance redressal procedure is announced to all stakeholders during the stakeholder consultation and information is available at each project site.

Stakeholder Access to Project Documentation

The copies of project design documentation are accessible to all stakeholders at project proponent’s head office and also at Kubersthan and Chanpatia site. On the request of stakeholders, the project document can be arranged and provided by project participant.

Information to Stakeholders on Assessment Process

Stakeholders will be informed of SD Vista process including validation and site visit during the stakeholder consultation workshop in August or September 2019.

2.3 Project Management

Avoidance of Corruption

The proponent confirms that there is no corruption involved in the project activity. The host country has strict laws and robust arrangements to prevent such activities.

The proponent has robust and stringent internal policies that has laid provisions to prevent/identify any form of corruption.

Statutory and Customary Rights

The project has all the legal, customary rights on the land and does not require any change to land tenure arrangements because the project activities is implemented on private lands. Therefore, the project proponent did not require any clearances from nodal agencies. The project does not require any change to land tenure arrangements and holds the land title for the all the land covered in the project activity.

Recognition of Property Rights

The project proponent confirms that all property rights are recognized, respected and supported.


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Free, Prior and Informed Consent

The project does not require any change to property/land tenure arrangements and the project participants holds the land title for all the land covered in the project activity. All such arrangements are agreed with free, prior and informed consent of the relevant stakeholders.

Restitution and/or Compensation for Affected Resources

There are no negative effects on the land or resources due to the project and hence allocation of restitution or compensation to any parties is not required.

Property Rights Removal/Relocation of Property Rights Holders

The project is an off grid renewable energy project which supplies clean electricity to the villagers. The project is not located on a land/territory claimed by any indigenous people, vulnerable people and the project activity does not lead to removal or relocation of property rights holders from their lands or territories, and do not force rights holders to relocate activities important to their culture or livelihood.

Identification of Illegal Activities

There are no illegal activities identified and associated that could affect the project’s impacts and hence measures needed and designed to reduce these activities are not required.

Ongoing Conflicts or Disputes

There are no ongoing or unresolved conflicts or disputes over rights to lands, territories and resources. The project activity is undertaken that could prejudice the outcome of an unresolved dispute.

National and Local Laws and Regulations

The Project activity meets all local laws and regulation of India. Each solar panel and biomass gasifier included in the grouped project activity is implemented as per Government of India Mini Grid Policy6.

Project Ownership

The ownership of each plant can be verified through following documents:

• Customer Subscription form (Appendix 1) • Commissioning report (Appendix 2)

Grouped Projects

6 https://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/UserFiles/draft-national-Mini_Micro-Grid-Policy.pdf


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As project activity is a part of grouped project activity, hence eligibility criteria for inclusion of new instances of each project activity are as follows:

1. Each project activity should be based of technology solar, Biomass or hybrid system 2. Each project activity should not be more than 1 MW capacity 3. Each project activity can supply excess power to national grid


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3 BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE AND PROSPERITY

3.1 Condition of Stakeholders at Project Start The current power scenario pertaining to the grid is – demand far outstrips the supply and the continuing shortage of power, resulting in power cuts. Therefore, in the absence of the project activity, equal amount of electricity would have been used from Diesel generators units. In the absence of project activity electricity was supplied from fossil fuel based mini-grid and from national grid.

The baseline situation for two main stakeholder groups identified for this project are:

• Residents: Before the start of the project residents of the villagers had to spend on average INR 434 per month per person on diesel fuel for running DG sets for various needs at home such as running fans, tv, lighting for studying etc. This led to a significant portion of their income being spent of purchasing diesel fuel for their home. Also, unemployment rate in the villages was high and most people were employed in the agriculture sector as farming and did not have the right technical knowledge and capacity on other electrical and technical domains.

• Small business/shop owners: Due to limited grid electricity availability, small shop owners and businesses had to close down their operations in the early evening hours which led to only limited income and business activities.

3.2 Expected Impacts on Stakeholders

Impact #1 Decrease in Overall spending

Type of Impact

The impact is a positive impact as people in the nearby communities of the project could save money that was spent on diesel fuel for meeting their electricity needs. The impact is an actual impact which is a direct consequence of the project activity.

Affected Stakeholder Group(s)

Residents and shop owners

Resulting Change in Well-being

With the project activity people were able to save significant portion of their savings which was spent on purchasing fuels as 100% of the customers eliminated the use of DG sets with the implementation of the project activity.


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Impact #2 Enhanced Technology Transfer and Skills

Type of Impact The impact is a positive, indirect impact as a consequence of the project activity which is actual

Affected Stakeholder Group(s)

Residents and shop owners

Resulting Change in Well-being

The project activity hired many people from the villages as maintenance staff and trained them in project operation and maintenance resulting in employment generations and skill and capacity building.

3.3 Stakeholder Monitoring Plan

The stakeholder monitoring plan for the variables linked to the identified project impacts and the claims are as follows:

SDG claim SDG 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and

modern energy services

Mitigation measure NA

Chosen parameter The quantity and number of household electricity is supplied to

Way of monitoring How Energy meters and Plant records

By who Project proponent

When Monthly

SDG claim SDG 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent

work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value


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Chosen parameter Quantity of jobs created by the project activity and proportion of local staff employed

Way of monitoring How HR department records


When Monthly

Impact Decrease in overall spending

Chosen parameter Reduction in overall spending on purchasing fuel for DG set to meet energy needs. And composition with electricity purchase from project participant.

Way of monitoring How Consultation with stakeholders and survey


When Annually

Impact Enhanced technology transfer and skills

Chosen parameter Number of training imparted to employees and satisfaction of the stakeholders with training

Way of monitoring How HR Records; Consultation with stakeholders


When Annually

3.4 Net Positive Stakeholder Well-being Impacts

Impacts Stakeholders Baseline Scenario

Project Scenario

Net Impact

The quantity and number of

Farmers, small business owners

In the baseline, no households

In the project scenario, a

Positive


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households to which electricity is supplied to

had access to clean and affordable electricity and relied on fossil fuel-based grid or mini grid (DG Sets)

total of 6055 people benefitted from access to clean and affordable electricity provided by the project activity

Quantity of jobs created by the project activity and proportion of local staff employed

Community members / villagers

In the baseline scenario, all village and community residents were employed in either agriculture or small shops. Project activity increase skilled and unskilled job in the are

In the project scenario, 15 skilled and 30 unskilled people were recruited from the local communities and given jobs at plant site.

Positive

Average Decrease in money spent on electricity

Villagers/community members

In the baseline scenario, villagers had to spend on average INR 434 per month per person on diesel fuel for running DG sets for various needs at home

In the project scenario, villagers are saving more money to meet their energy demands from the project activity in comparison to using DG sets

Positive

Number of training imparted to employees and satisfaction of the stakeholders

Villagers/community members

In the baseline, as majority of the population was employed in agriculture sector, skills and knowledge

With the project activity, training and skill building sessions are ongoing process, where

Positive


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with project activity

related to novel technology were no prevalent in the region

workers are trained on various aspects of the plant thereby increasing their knowledge and capacity


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4 BENEFITS FOR THE PLANET 4.1 Condition of Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services at Project

Start The project is an off grid renewable energy project which does not affect the natural capital and ecosystem of the region and therefore does not pose as a threat to the ecosystem. Most of the environmental related impacts are GHG related and has neutral impact on the ecosystem and natural resources.

4.2 Expected Impacts on Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services Since the project is an off grid renewable energy project therefore it has neutral affect on natural capital and ecosystem of the region, therefore no threats and mitigation measures required.

4.3 Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services Monitoring Plan N/A

4.4 Net Positive Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services Impacts Since the project is an off grid renewable energy project therefore it has neutral effect on natural capital and ecosystem of the region. The main environmental benefit associated with the project are related to GHG emission reduction which has been explained in detail in the next section.

APPENDIX 1 Sample Customer Subscription Form


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APPENDIX 2 Sample Commissioning Reports


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Documents

GROUPED OFF GRID RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT IN INDIA