Wenn Wasser Strom macht – Wasserkraft statt fossiler Erzeugung
Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project, on the Teesta River, Jammu & Kashmir, India
The hydropower project uses the natural flow of a river to generate renewable electricity and feed it into the public power grid. In doing so, it supports electricity supply in a region where energy demand is growing and fossil energy sources have so far played a central role.
By generating electricity from hydropower, conventional, emission-intensive power generation is displaced. This leads to emission reductions directly within the energy sector while relying on a renewable energy source designed for long-term availability. Power generation takes place without combustion processes and with comparatively low ongoing emissions.
A project that demonstrates how hydropower can make a reliable contribution to climate-friendly electricity supply—designed for long-term operation, based on proven technology, and with clearly traceable climate impact.
Technical project data – VCS1891
Key facts about the hydropower project at a glance
| Parameter | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Project location | India; Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Kishanganga River Basin | Project Description (PDD), Section A.2, pp. 8–10 |
| Project type | Run-of-river hydropower plant (grid-connected hydroelectric power project) | PDD, Section A.1, pp. 6–7 |
| Project standard | Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) | Validation Representation, p. 1 |
| Project developer | NHPC Limited (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation) | PDD, Project Proponent Section, p. 5 |
| Installed capacity | 330 MW hydropower | PDD, Project Overview, p. 6 |
| Technology | Run-of-river hydropower with dam, headrace tunnel and turbines | PDD, Technology Description, pp. 11–13 |
| Grid connection | Feed-in to the Indian power grid (Northern Grid) | PDD, Section A.4, pp. 14–15 |
| Methodology | ACM0002 – Grid-connected electricity generation from renewable sources (VCS) | PDD, Methodology Section, pp. 18–20 |
| Project start | Project activities commenced prior to the start of the first crediting period | PDD, Section A.1, p. 7 |
| Crediting period | Active crediting period under VCS; renewable | VCS Project Details & Monitoring Reports |
| Project status | Registered and verified VCS project, active | Verification Representation, pp. 1–2 |
| Annual electricity generation | Electricity generation as documented in verified monitoring periods | Monitoring Report (Apr 2021–Jun 2022), pp. 6–9 |
| Annual emission reductions | Emission reductions from displacement of fossil-based power generation | Verification Representation, pp. 3–5 |
| Main impact mechanism | Substitution of emission-intensive power generation in the regional electricity mix with renewable hydropower | PDD, Impact Section, pp. 21–23 |
| Monitoring & verification | Regular monitoring of electricity generation and independent verification in accordance with VCS requirements | Monitoring & Verification Reports, pp. 1–6 |
| Additionality | Economic implementation supported by revenues from the climate finance market | PDD, Additionality Section, pp. 24–26 |
| Carbon Credit Rating | Currently no external carbon credit rating assigned to the project | – |
| Carbon Credit Rating Type | No project-specific external assessment by specialized rating agencies published | – |
| Article 6 Authorization (Paris Agreement) | No authorization under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement has been issued | VCS Project Registry |
| CCP Status (ICVCM) | No classification as a Core Carbon Principle (CCP) currently published | ICVCM / Project information |
| Management of Double Counting Risks | Emission reductions are clearly attributed to the project and accounted for in accordance with VCS rules | VCS Rules & Guidance |
| Longevity of Emission Reductions | Permanent emission avoidance over the technical lifetime of the hydropower plant | Project Description |
| Permanence of Climate Impact | Very high; emission reductions are generated continuously over decades during operation | Project Design Document |
| Risk Management & Safeguards | Technical safety standards, regular maintenance, regulatory oversight and VCS verification | Project Documentation |
| Project Lifetime (technical) | Designed for long-term operation; typical hydropower plants operate for several decades | Project Description / Industry standard |
What the project can contribute
Here we summarize what the project is actually intended to achieve and which practical improvements it can enable.
- 1
Providing renewable electricity
The Kishanganga hydropower project harnesses the natural flow of water to generate electricity and feed it into the public power grid. In doing so, it adds renewable generation capacity to the electricity system.
- 2
Replacing fossil-based power generation
The electricity generated by the hydropower plant displaces power from fossil fuel–based power stations. As a result, emissions are reduced directly in the power sector – where energy demand is actually met.
- 3
Improving security of supply
With its installed capacity, the project contributes to stabilising the regional electricity supply. It provides reliable generation capacity in a region with growing energy demand.
- 4
Anchoring renewable energy in the long term
Hydropower is a proven and long-lasting technology. The project demonstrates how renewable energy can be permanently integrated into the energy system – without fuels, without combustion and with stable performance over many years.
- 5
Enabling lasting climate impact
The power plant is designed for long-term operation. Over decades, it continuously contributes to emission reductions and supports the transformation of the power sector.
Global climate relevance
Generating renewable power, reducing emissions
The hydropower project produces electricity without fossil fuels and replaces conventional power generation in the grid. Emission reductions occur directly where electricity is generated and consumed – measurable and verifiable.
Climate impact in the power sector
Globally, the power sector is one of the largest sources of emissions. Every kilowatt-hour of renewable hydropower helps reduce the share of fossil generation and supports the transition of the energy system.
Long-term emission avoidance
Hydropower plants are designed for permanent operation. Over many years, the project continuously supplies renewable electricity and avoids emissions that would otherwise be generated again and again.
Enabled through climate finance
Revenues from the climate finance market support the economic implementation and long-term operation of the project. They help bring renewable generation capacity online earlier and more reliably than would be possible without this support
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – The relevant and the complementary contributions
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Kishanganga hydropower project contributes to strengthening energy supply, lowering emissions in the power sector and supporting regional economic development. In doing so, the project supports several objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The most significant contributions are made to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Further goals are supported in a complementary or indirect way. Some SDGs are considered marginal contributions that are supportive in nature but not central to the project’s core purpose.
The project generates electricity from renewable hydropower and feeds it into the public power grid. This provides clean energy within an electricity system that has historically been strongly dependent on fossil-based power generation.
Contribution: Expansion of renewable electricity generation and improved security of energy supply.By generating electricity from hydropower, fossil-based power generation is displaced. The resulting emission reductions occur directly in the power sector and are measured and documented.
Contribution: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through renewable electricity generation.Large-scale hydropower projects contribute to the development of modern energy infrastructure and support the long-term integration of renewable energy into the power grid.
Contribution: Strengthening of energy infrastructure and promotion of technological development in the energy sector.Construction, operation and maintenance of the hydropower plant create employment opportunities and strengthen regional value chains.
Contribution: Temporary jobs during the construction phase and permanent positions during ongoing operation.Electricity generation takes place without fuels, combustion processes or resource-intensive extraction chains.
Contribution: A more resource-efficient form of energy production, without a direct influence on consumption behaviour.
How CO₂ Savings Are Generated
Clean electricity from renewable energy projects replaces fossil-based power. The emissions avoided through this shift can be measured and form the basis for issuing carbon credits.
Renewable power changes the overall energy mix: every kilowatt hour produced by wind, solar or hydropower reduces the need for electricity from coal, gas or oil.
The amount of CO₂ emitted per kilowatt hour varies by country and by fuel type. These official grid emission factors make it possible to calculate how much CO₂ would have been released without the renewable energy project.
For each project, the expected fossil share is compared with the clean electricity actually delivered. The difference shows the verified emission reductions — the real CO₂ savings. These values are reviewed by independent auditors, updated regularly, and form the certified basis for carbon credits.
Context and Transparency
This wind energy project is registered under the Verra Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and is regularly monitored and independently verified in accordance with the standard. The reported emission reductions are based on audited monitoring reports and an approved methodology (ACM0002) for calculating emissions avoided by grid-connected wind electricity compared with conventional electricity generation in the grid.
Legally secure offsetting and measurable impact
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A critical point for companies is legally secure offsetting. Through the use of modern hydropower technologies, we promote an emission-free global energy infrastructure. These technological projects are an essential lever for decarbonization and meet the highest requirements for additionality and transparency – crucial for meeting the requirements of the Green Claims Directive.
The quality of our approach is evident in our own PROJECT TOGO. Here, we combine climate protection with a social transformation that directly contributes to 12 of the 17 SDGs.
Whether through high-quality carbon credits or individual strategies: We offer solutions that combine technological innovation with social impact and guide your company to the regulatory safe side.