Tata Power today said its 120 MW joint venture Itezhi Tezhi Hydro Power Project in Zambia has received Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) nod from United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Itezhi Tezhi Power Corporation Ltd (ITPC) is a joint venture with Zambian parastatal utility ZESCO Limited (ZESCO), is a special purpose vehicle, which has been set to build and operate a 120 MW hydro power plant in Itezhi Tezhi district on Kafue River in Zambia, the company said in a statement.

ITPC is the first project in Zambia to get the CDM approval from UNFCCC.

The proposed project activity involves installation of Greenfield 120 MW Hydro Power plant in the Central Province of Zambia which will be connected to Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) grid system.

The total emission reductions from the project are estimated to be 5,892,480 tonnes CO2e over a 10—year crediting period averaging 589,248 tonnes of CO2e annually.

The project was registered under CDM project activity in September this year. SGS United Kingdom Ltd was given the contract by ITPC to perform a validation of the projects as per UNFCCC (United Nations Framework of Convention on Climate Change) criteria for the CDM project validation.

CDM is an instrument established under the Kyoto Protocol to achieve both sustainable development and contribute to the cost effective mitigation of climate change.

It allows countries with emission reduction commitments to meet part of their reduction abroad, where Green House Gas (GHG) abatement costs can be lower.

The mechanism will also enable developing countries to attract investments in clean energy technology and assist them on a sustainable development path.