Client News-Eight19 Appoints First CEO

CAMBRIDGE, UK - Eight19 (www.eight19.com) the developer of Printed Plastic Solar Cells based on Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) technology, today announces the appointment of Dr Simon Bransfield-Garth as Chief Executive.

Dr Bransfield-Garth’s appointment follows the investment of £4.5M ($7.4M) by the Carbon Trust and French chemical company Rhodia SA in September 2010 to commercialise Organic Photovoltaic technology originally developed at Cambridge University’s Cavendish Laboratory, a world leader in plastic electronics technology.

Eight19 is developing a new generation of low-cost, flexible plastic solar cells that have the potential to dramatically reduce the manufacturing cost, increase the throughput of solar technology and help address the growing need for renewable power. Using room temperature printing processes instead of traditional high temperature manufacturing, the cells, which are considerably cheaper and faster to manufacture than 1st and 2nd generation, are predicted to open up new high-growth volume markets. The market for organic solar cells has the potential to reach $500 million by 2015 and to grow four fold to $2 billion by 2020 (Nanomarkets, 2009) and could save up to 900 million tonnes of CO2 by 2050 – some 1.5 times the UK’s current annual emissions.

Plastic solar cells benefit from being based on abundant materials and can be readily crafted into different shapes and colours to meet market requirements, for example for off-grid applications in emerging economies, such as solar powered lighting, or high volume industrial products.

Commenting on the appointment, Tom Brown, Chairman of Eight19 said: “We are delighted that Simon is joining the company as CEO. He brings with him to Eight19 over 25 years global experience in building rapid growth, technology based businesses, so he is well placed to drive us forward towards mass production”.

Simon Bransfield-Garth commented: “I am tremendously excited and privileged to have taken the helm at Eight19. The solar power market is in a period of explosive growth and Eight19, with technology backing from Cambridge University and exceptional team of engineers and scientists is poised to play a significant role”.

--ENDS--

Notes to Editors

Simon Bransfield-Garth

Simon’s career spans twenty five years in high growth, early stage technology sectors, including semiconductor, automotive electronics and mobile phones business. He founded Myriad Solutions Ltd which was sold in 1996 and spent 7 years at Symbian, the phone OS maker, where he was a member of the Leadership Team and VP Global Marketing.

Simon was previously a Fellow at Cambridge University where he also gained his BA and Ph.D in Engineering.

Eight19 Ltd.

Eight19 is located in Cambridge, England and retains close links with the Cavendish Laboratory of Cambridge University.

Based on work pioneered by the internationally renowned team at Cambridge University, the company focuses on high speed, room temperature manufacturing techniques to create lightweight, non-toxic, flexible solar films. The resulting modules are aimed at new mass markets for solar power generation, from off-grid applications in emerging economies to high volume industrial products.

Eight19 is headquartered in Cambridge, England and investors include the Carbon Trust, Rhodia SA, TTP Ltd and the University of Cambridge.

Scotland’s first tidal farm by 2013

Marine Current Turbines, a client of Taylor Keogh since 2005, is moving forward with plans to deploy Scotland’s first tidal energy farm, in Kyle Rhea, a strait of water between the Isle of Skye and the Scottish mainland.  The project will have the capacity to generate electricity for up to 4,000 homes and will give a multi-million pound boost to the Highlands & Islands economy as local businesses seize the opportunity to participate in the tidal farm’s installation, operation and maintenance.

The development of the project is subject to securing a lease agreement from The Crown Estate, securing planning approval from Marine Scotland and raising the finance for the project, estimated to be £35million.  A planning application will be made towards the end of this year.

MCT will shortly submit a planning application to the Welsh Assembly Government for a seven turbine tidal farm in waters off Anglesey and work is progressing in Canada to deploy a single tidal turbine in Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy.

The company will be exhibiting at All-Energy Renewables Exhibition & Conference in Aberdeen on May18/19th.

Last year, the company announced that it would partner ESB International in taking forward plans to develop a tidal energy farm of up to 100MW off the Antrim coast, and secured approval for a lease from The Crown Estate to deploy a 99MW tidal farm in waters off the Orkney Islands The company plans to have its first phase of SeaGen tidal turbines deployed there during 2017 with the whole scheme operational by 2020.

To view a film about MCT and its SeaGen tidal technology, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_0dJlw9AsI .  The company's website is www.marineturbines.com

Green Growth in the UK- EIC's Executive Director gives his views

Jonny Mulligan, Executive Director of the Environmental Industries Commission writes about green growth in the UK economy.  Jonny has recently joined the EIC (www.eic-uk.co.uk) and in February gave oral evidence to the Commons Environmental Audit Committee about the proposed Green Investment Bank.


Economic growth and the Environment: it’s not either/or.

In 2009, George Osborne highlighted the need to “bring to an end the stale argument that we have to choose between economic growth and the environment.”

He was right. But in order to achieve this, we now need joined-up thinking and a united voice. Green growth depends on a partnership effort between government and industry, ensuring that all their departments work together in a common cause for the greater good.  It is important that the chancellor remembers this as he prepares for his 2011 budget.

We urgently need a fully integrated environmental policy-making framework that pulls together innovative finance and pollution taxation, job creation and R&D, where the over-arching objective is significant behavioural change.

Data is now emerging that indicates that environmental climate change policies are working.

Lord Adair Turner, Chairman of the Committee on Climate Change, has also noted how the economic downturn is already playing its part. “This [the downturn] is obviously good for the environment but also gives us a false sense of achievement if this is not backed up by real policy change and action by Government”.

I agree with Lord Turner. I believe government must continue to put in place progressive new policies and regulations which protect and improve the environment. We need grown-up policies and realistic regulations designed to encourage and reward innovation.

We need to build greater trust between government and industry. Government should allow industry to improve its environmental stewardship and resource-efficiency in peace. If this trust is abused, government should act quickly and decisively in imposing penalties in order to drive change.

Execution of such a strategy will inevitably induce positive changes in production and in society’s behaviour. To stimulate change in industrial practices, we must honour the principle that the ‘polluter must pay’. Experience has shown that, without regulation, short-term profit enjoys a higher priority than the future of the planet!

The success of the 1996 landfill tax, the EU:ETS and the London Low Emissions Zone are all examples of how regulation does bring positive change. Policymakers need to clearly learn and understand the integration of economic and environmental policy. They need to dust down their copies of 'Blueprint for a Green Economy (1989)’, also known as "The Pearce Report" and apply it to the challenges that we face today.

Government and policymakers must encourage industry to focus on the minimal use of natural resources, including fossil fuel, and to invest in the R&D that will make business ‘greener’. If business refuses to take action then they must simply be regulated.

Knowledge and skills developed from recent experiences must be captured and passed on to new generations of employees.

The highest quality leadership, both individual and corporate, capable must be identified and incentivised to drive the ‘new green economy’ forward, supported by strategic investment and responsible risk-taking.

Policy Priorities

The top strategic priority for government and industry must be to put in a place a strong and transparent regulatory framework, designed to support the development of a world-leading environmental policy. This will drive change in our industrial practices and build  the confidence necessary to attract fresh investment in the sector.

The second practical priority must be to enforce the legislation which is already on the statute books, using the existing Environmental Agency and Local Authorities.

The third major issue on our wish-list must be this: For the Government itself to use its unique opportunity to lead by example.

The Government is the UK’s largest landlord and holds the biggest institutional property portfolio in the UK – just think of the schools, of schools and hospitals for start. As a result, it is also currently the biggest carbon emitter and is the single most guilty perpetrator of resource-mismanagement and waste.

If the Government genuinely wants change then it must to lead from the front.

Talk is cheap. Actions must match words. Ministerial speeches must be accountable, not just for effect.

It can start doing this immediately by ensuring that:
•             all government departments, local authorities and government funded organisations operate in ‘green energy efficient’ buildings
•             manage their upstream and downstream waste and resources
•             implement full sustainable procurement programmes across its operational and supply chains.

The Government must take these steps now. Only by doing so can it maintain its credibility on the international stage and punch way above its weight in global climate change negotiations.  It is only by doing this that this government will be the ‘greenest government ever'.

Petrofac takes stake in Gateway Gas Storage

Petrofac, the international oil & gas facilities service provider, has acquired a 20% interest in Gateway, a client of Taylor Keogh since 2005. Petrofac has joined Gateway as the technical project operator and will be jointly responsible for developing the project ahead of a Final Investment Decision later this year. The front end engineering and design phase of the project has been completed and the focus is now turning towards finalising the consortium of storage capacity holders and investors. Gateway Storage is targeting 2016 for the commencement of storage services to the UK energy market.

When built, Gateway Storage will be one of the UK’s largest salt cavern storage facilities and will add nearly 30% to the current gas storage capacity in the UK market, sufficient to meet five days of Britain’s average gas demand. 

Investment in new storage capacity as a means to bolster the UK’s long-term energy security has been a recurring issue within Parliament for some time. The Government’s Energy Bill, currently proceeding through Parliament, proposes to give additional powers to OFGEM to ensure that this capacity enters the market, but a number of politicians in both Houses have expressed the view that an enhanced Public Service Obligation on gas suppliers would be a better way to incentivise the investment that needs to be made if Gateway and other storage projects are to be built in good time.

For additional information on Gateway, please visit www.gatewaystorage.co.uk

Client News- GATEWAY GAS STORAGE SECURES NEW INVESTOR: PETROFAC ACQUIRES 20% INTEREST

Gateway Storage Company Ltd, the developer of the 1.5bn cubic metre salt cavern gas storage facility in the East Irish Sea, is pleased to announce that Petrofac, the international oil & gas facilities service provider, has acquired a 20% interest in the company.

Petrofac will join Gateway as the technical project operator and will be jointly responsible for developing the project ahead of a Final Investment Decision next year (2011). Petrofac will be represented on the Gateway Board. The company’s investment in Gateway is based on a cash consideration of up to £33million over time, funded from cash resources. This is split into a fixed upfront payment and additional contingent payments subject to key project development milestones being achieved, including the outcome of a further successful equity sales process.

The front end engineering and design (FEED) phase of the project is nearing completion and the focus of Gateway Storage will now turn to project execution and finalisation of the consortium of storage capacity holders and investors. Gateway Storage is targeting 2016 for the commencement of storage services to the UK energy market.

When built, Gateway Storage will be one of the UK’s largest salt cavern storage facilities and will add nearly 30% to the current gas storage capacity in the UK market. It secured the UK Department of Energy & Climate Change’s first ever Storage Licence in February 2010 after obtaining the main planning and environmental consents and permits in late 2008.

George Grant, Chairman of Gateway Storage Company Ltd said: “Gateway is the most advanced gas storage project in the UK that has not yet committed to construction, so we are delighted to have an organisation with the execution and operational track record of Petrofac to take the project forward through to financing and into construction. As one of the world’s leading service providers to the oil and gas industries, Petrofac’s experience will be invaluable in realising the project’s significant and strategic benefits to the UK and Irish energy markets.”

Rob Jewkes, Managing Director, Petrofac Energy Developments commented: “Petrofac is pleased to join with Gateway to progress this strategically important and well advanced storage project. With FEED activities largely complete, we are entering the project at this stage to bring confidence to the investor group that execution and delivery objectives for the complete facilities can be met, and will utilise the full capabilities of our group to optimise the facility design and deliver the project.”

For further information contact:

Gateway Storage Company Ltd (www.gatewaystorage.co.uk)

George Grant, Chairman +44 (0)131 550 3380

ggrant@stagenergy.com

Paul Taylor (Taylor Keogh Communications) +44 (0)203 170 8465 / 07966 782611

paul@taylorkeogh.com

Petrofac

Tulchan Communications Group Ltd +44 (0)20 7353 4200

James Bradley

David Allchurch

petrofac@tulchangroup.com

Notes to Editors

Gateway Storage (www.gatewaystorage.co.uk)

Gateway Storage Company Limited plans to build an underground natural gas storage facility in the East Irish Sea, approximately 25 km (15 miles) offshore, south west of Barrow-in-Furness. Storage caverns will be developed in a natural salt structure below the seabed and will enable gas to be delivered, stored and then returned to the UK’s national transmission system.

The offshore facility will provide a significant boost to the security of energy supply in the UK gas market and will help to meet the strategic energy policy objectives of the UK government. When completed, the caverns will have a working capacity of 1.5 billion standard cubic metres (~560 million therms), adding nearly 30% to the current gas storage capacity in the UK market.

Gateway Storage is a company that was formed to develop the gas storage project and is managed by Stag Energy. Stag Energy (www.stagenergy.com) is an independent company, headquartered in Edinburgh. The company, established in 2002, has extensive experience of managing the development, construction and operations of gas storage and power generation projects in the UK and overseas.

Petrofac (www.petrofac.com)

Petrofac is a leading international provider of facilities solutions to the oil & gas production and processing industry, with a diverse customer portfolio including many of the world’s leading integrated, independent and national oil & gas companies. Petrofac is quoted on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: PFC) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

The group delivers services through seven business units: Engineering & Construction, Engineering & Construction Ventures, Engineering Services, Offshore Engineering & Operations, Training Services, Production Solutions and Energy Developments.

Through these businesses Petrofac designs and builds oil & gas facilities; operates, maintains and manages facilities and trains personnel; enhances production; and, where it can leverage its service capability, develops and co-invests in upstream and infrastructure projects. Petrofac’s range of services meets its customers’ needs across the full life cycle of oil & gas assets.

With around 12,500 employees, Petrofac operates out of six strategically located operational centres, in Aberdeen, Sharjah, Woking, Chennai, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi and a further 19 offices worldwide. The predominant focus of Petrofac’s business is on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), the Middle East and Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Asia Pacific region.

Client News-MARINE CURRENT TURBINES AIMING FOR FIRST TIDAL ENERGY FARM IN SCOTLAND BY 2013

UK tidal energy company, Marine Current Turbines, is targeting 2013 to install Scotland’s first tidal energy farm. The company, which designed and deployed the world’s first commercial scale offshore tidal stream energy system in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough, is investigating the feasibility of a tidal farm in Kyle Rhea, a strait of water between the Isle of Skye and the Scottish mainland.

The project will have the capacity to generate electricity for up to 4,000 homes in the Highlands & Islands by harnessing the power of the fast tidal currents that pass through Kyle Rhea 14 hours a day. It will also give a multi-million pound boost to the Highlands & Islands economy as local businesses can expect to participate in the tidal farm’s installation, operation and maintenance.

The development of the project is subject to securing a lease agreement from The Crown Estate, securing planning approval from Marine Scotland (part of the Scottish Government) and raising the finance for the project. Marine Current Turbines (MCT) estimates that the cost of the 5MW Kyle Rhea scheme, consisting of four SeaGen tidal units, will be £35million.

For the past nine months, MCT has undertaken a series of environmental and technical studies and consulted a range of local and national organisations. The work to date has confirmed the suitability of the site and subject to further studies being carried out and further consultations, MCT aims to submit a planning application towards the end of next year (2011).

MCT, with the support of the environmental consultancy Royal Haskoning (based in Edinburgh), has already consulted a range of organisations about its plans including the Highland Council and local councillors, Marine Scotland, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, the Northern Lighthouse Board, the RSPB, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Glenelg and Arnisdale Development Trust and the RNLI based at Kyle of Lochalsh.

David Ainsworth, MCT’s Project Manager for the Kyle Rhea project, said: “Engagement with local interests is an important part of our work and so far the response to our plans has been generally positive. Our experience of working in Strangford Lough has been hugely valuable in taking forward our plans for Kyle Rhea, and has helped assure people about the impacts of deploying our technology.

Next year, we will hold a public exhibition in Glenelg before our planning application is finalised to give local people the opportunity to find out more about the project and the benefits that it will bring.”

If the Kyle Rhea tidal project is approved and financed, the scheme will not only generate clean energy but also give local firms the chance to be involved in the tidal farm’s installation and operation. In Northern Ireland, a number of local companies such as marine support vessels, engineering and electrical contractors, civil engineers, environmental scientists and divers as well as local hotels, pubs and restaurants have benefited from MCT’s Strangford Lough project. It is estimated that the project has contributed more than £4million into the Northern Irish economy over the past three years.

As well as retaining the services of Royal Haskoning (with regard to consultations with the regulatory authorities and the environmental studies), other Scottish firms that have been being involved in the project to date are the Aberdeen office of Partrac and SMRU Ltd based in St Andrews. Scotland’s Burntisland Fabrications constructed the quadropod structure that supports the single SeaGen in Strangford Lough.

Client News-Marine Current Turbines and ESBI enter into agreement to develop major tidal energy project in Northern Ireland

ESB International (ESBI) has entered an agreement with tidal energy company Marine Current Turbines (MCT) to develop an initial phase of a 100MW tidal energy project off the Antrim coast in Northern Ireland.

ESBI and MCT will work together to submit a proposal to the forthcoming Marine Leasing Round in Northern Ireland to secure an Agreement for Lease from The Crown Estate to commence formal consenting of the project. If successful, and subject to the achievement of consent, the initial phase of the project, which will use the MCT SeaGen device, could be in operation by 2018. The ESBI/MCT project will assist Northern Ireland in achieving its marine renewable energy targets as outlined in the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment’s Strategic Action Plan which calls for 300MW of tidal energy by 2020.

SeaGen is the largest and most powerful tidal stream turbine in the world and the only one that is regularly generating electrcitiy for customers, having been accredited by OFGEM, the UK industry regulator, as an “official” power station. The award-winning 1.2MW turbine has been operating in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough since April 2008 and last month (August) achieved another operational milestone by delivering its 2 millionth kWh of power to the grid. Thanks to Strangford being an exceptionally energetic location, SeaGen regularly produces as much electricity as an average off-shore wind turbine of double the rated power. This power is already being sold by ESB’s retail electricity supply business, ESB Independent Energy, to customers in Northern Ireland.

Safeguarding the environment is a key issue and ESBI is preparing an environmental scoping report on the project as an initial step in undertaking a full environmental impact assessment. In order to gain a thorough understanding of the tidal potential, ESBI has also undertaken tidal resource measurements off the Antrim coast over the summer months. This data is currently being analysed and it is planned to undertake further surveys in the coming months.

ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, said ESB's strategy to 2020 involves focusing on sustainable and renewable energies. "We look forward to working with MCT on this exciting new project. Our aim is to use our experience and technical strength to support the development of a viable ocean energy industry in Ireland and this project is an important step in realising that goal", he said.

Martin Wright, Managing Director of Marine Current Turbines said "This agreement underlines the success to date of the SeaGen project in Strangford Lough but importantly the real and growing commercial interest in tidal energy. Our agreement with ESBI, which has been a valued shareholder in MCT for 2½ years, confirms MCT's tidal technology at being in the forefront in the race to harness the power of tides. We are pleased that ESBI has chosen MCT to develop the initial phase of this project."

Notes to Editors

About ESB

ESB has a corporate target to develop 150MW of ocean energy in Ireland by 2020 and the proposed tidal project off the Antrim Coast is a key project in delivering this target. ESB's retail subsidiary, ESB Independent Energy, already supplies tidal energy to its customers in Northern Ireland through its purchase of the electricity output from the SeaGen tidal facility in Strangford Lough. ESB is one of the first utilities in the world to provide tidal energy to its customers.

The Board of ESB approved a strategic framework with a €22 billion investment programme to 2020. The main focus of the framework is the sustainable and responsible use of natural resources, leading to the halving of its carbon emissions within 12 years and attainment of a carbon net-zero position by 2035. About half of the total €22 billion investment package will be devoted to renewables through direct investments in renewable energy projects and initiatives supporting sustainability such as smart metering and smart networks.

By 2020, ESB will be producing one-third of its electricity from renewable generation, delivering over 1,400MW of wind generation (with over 100MW already installed), and exploiting the potential of wave, tidal and biomass resources. ESB Networks will invest €11 billion in vital infrastructure to facilitate the development of up to 6,000MW of wind power on the island of Ireland.

www.esb.ie www.esbi.ie

About Marine Current Turbines

Marine Current Turbines Ltd (www.marineturbines.com) is based in Bristol, England. The company was established in 2000 and its principal corporate shareholders include BankInvest, Carbon Trust Investments, EDF Energy, ESB International, Guernsey Electricity, High Tide and Siemens Energy. The company is chaired by Paul Lester, the former Chief Executive of VT Group plc.

In September 2009, MCT was ranked the world’s top tidal energy company in The Guardian/Clean Tech Global 100 Survey and in June 2009 won Renewable Energy Developer of the Year in the UK Renewable Energy Association Annual Awards.

MCT’s 1.2MW SeaGen was deployed in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough in April 2008; it has the capacity to generate electricity for the equivalent of about 1500 homes and has the equivalent in energy output as a 2.5MW wind turbine. SeaGen works in principle much like an “underwater windmill” with the rotors driven by the power of the tidal currents rather than the wind. The SeaGen turbine is subject to a rigorous monitoring programme imposed under its licensing conditions to ensure it does not threaten the marine life of Strangford Lough where it is located.

MCT is working with RWE npower renewables to develop a 10MW tidal farm off Anglesey by 2013/2014 and with Minas Bay Pulp & Paper to deploy a single SeaGen system in Canada’s Bay of Fundy. In March 2010, MCT secured approval for a lease from The Crown Estate to deploy its SeaGen tidal current technology off Brough Ness, on the southern most tip of the Orkney Islands (South Ronaldsay) and north east of John O’Groats. The company plans to have its first phase of SeaGen tidal turbines deployed there during 2017 with the whole scheme operational by 2020.

Client News- MCT passes another milestone

World's most powerful tidal stream turbine passes another milestone: two million kWh delivered

Date of issue: Tuesday, August 17th 2010

Marine Current Turbines’ SeaGen, the world’s first and only commercial scale tidal stream energy turbine, has passed another electricity generation milestone. The 1.2MW SeaGen, located in Strangford Lough (Northern Ireland), has delivered its two millionth unit of electricity into the UK electricity grid. It is now operating 24 hours, seven days a week and is well on course to be the first tidal system to meet the power generation criteria for the UK Government’s Marine Renewables Deployment Fund.

SeaGen is the only tidal energy system regularly generating power into the UK electricity grid and is the only tidal system to be accredited by OFGEM as a UK power station and also as a recipient of ROCs (Renewable Obligation Certificates). SeaGen is producing as much electricity as an average off-shore wind turbine of double the capacity and, unlike wind power generation, SeaGen’s output is wholly predictable.

Peter Fraenkel, Technical Director of Marine Current Turbines said: “Passing the 2 million kWh mark represents considerable progress and underlines the significant potential that our technology and base-load tidal energy has to offer. We are delivering marine energy on a daily basis which shows that our SeaGen technology is leading the race to harness the power of the seas by a large margin.”

It took SeaGen from July 2008 until March of this year to generate the first million units largely due to licence restictions placed on its operation. However since March the restrictions, to check that SeaGen’s operation did not have any adverse effect on marine life, have been significantly relaxed by the regulating authority and 24/7 operation has been allowed. So in just the five months since 24/7 operation started, SeaGen has delivered its second million.”

Peter Fraenkel added: “SeaGen, which produces 1.2MW for all current velocities higher than 2.4m/s, remains the world’s most powerful tidal turbine and after two years of development and successful operation is ready to be deployed on a commercial basis in other stretches of tidal water.

“It is worth clarifying that the key factor, which fixes the energy capturing capability of a tidal turbine, is its effective rotor swept area; this gives a measure of the amount of the resource that the machine can capture energy from. SeaGen’s twin rotors sweep 402 square meters of cross-section of current which is much larger than other tidal stream systems which are to be tested shortly. More importantly, SeaGen has been generating power for the past two years and therefore is unique as the world’s only megawatt scale tidal turbine with a verifiable and audited generating track record.”

Notes to Editors

1. Marine Current Turbines Ltd (www.marineturbines.com) is based in Bristol, England. The company was established in 2000 and its principal corporate shareholders include BankInvest, Carbon Trust Investments, EDF Energy, ESB International, Guernsey Electricity, High Tide and Siemens Energy. The company is chaired by Paul Lester, the former Chief Executive of VT Group plc.

2. In September 2009, MCT was ranked the world’s top tidal energy company in The Guardian/Clean Tech Global 100 Survey and in June 2009 won Renewable Energy Developer of the Year in the UK Renewable Energy Association Annual Awards.

3. MCT’s 1.2MW SeaGen was deployed in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough in April 2008; it has the capacity to generate electricity for the equivalent of about 1500 homes and has the equivalent in energy output as a 2.5MW onshore wind turbine. SeaGen works in principle much like an “underwater windmill” with the rotors driven by the power of the tidal currents rather than the wind. The SeaGen turbine is subject to a rigorous monitoring programme imposed under its licensing conditions to ensure it does not threaten the marine life of Strangford Lough where it is located.

4. MCT is working with RWE npower renewables to develop a 10MW tidal farm off Anglesey and with Minas Bay Pulp & Paper to deploy a single SeaGen system in Canada’s Bay of Fundy. In March 2010, MCT secured approval for a lease from The Crown Estate to deploy its SeaGen tidal current technology off Brough Ness, on the southern most tip of the Orkney Islands (South Ronaldsay) and north east of John O’Groats. The company plans to have its first phase of SeaGen tidal turbines deployed there during 2017 with the whole scheme operational by 2020.

Client News-VISITS SEAGEN AT STRANGFORD LOUGH

PRINCE OF WALES VISITS SEAGEN AT STRANGFORD LOUGH

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales has visited Marine Current Turbines’ SeaGen, the world leading marine current and tidal stream technology that is deployed in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough and generating power into the local grid on a daily basis.

HRH was greeted (May 13th) by Mr David Lindsay the Lord-Lieutenant for County Down and went on to meet Mrs Arlene Foster MLA Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Martin Wright Managing Director of Marine Current Turbines (MCT), and Professor Peter Gregson DL President and Vice-Chancellor Queen’s University Belfast. The Queen’s Marine Research facility at Portaferry, on the shore of Strangford Lough, provides an operating and monitoring base for MCT and offers research assistance to the company in its operation of SeaGen.

His Royal Highness attended a short presentation on the SeaGen project from MCT’s Martin Wright and colleagues and then sailed out to the turbine to see the project in its operational environment.

Picture attached: Seeing SeaGen close up - HRH Prince Charles with Mrs Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland’s Minister of Enterprise, Trade & Investment.

Notes to Editors:
1. Marine Current Turbines Ltd (www.marineturbines.com) is based in Bristol, England. The company was established in 2000 and its principal corporate shareholders include BankInvest, Carbon Trust Investments, EDF Energy, ESB International, Guernsey Electricity, High Tide and Siemens Energy.

2. In September 2009, MCT was ranked the world’s top tidal energy company in The Guardian/Clean Tech Global 100 Survey and in June 2009 won Renewable Energy Developer of the Year in the UK Renewable Energy Association Annual Awards.

3. MCT’s 1.2MW SeaGen was deployed in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough in April 2008; it has the capacity to generate power for the equivalent of about 1500 homes. It works in principle much like an “underwater windmill” with the rotors driven by the power of the tidal currents rather than the wind. The SeaGen turbine is subject to a rigorous monitoring programme imposed under its licensing conditions to ensure it does not threaten the marine life of Strangford Lough where it is located.

4. SeaGen is accredited by OFGEM as a UK power station and so is a recipient of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs).

5. Since February 2008, MCT has partnered RWE npower renewables on plans to develop a 10MW tidal farm in waters off Anglesey, north Wales and is working with Minas Bay Pulp & Paper to deploy a single SeaGen system in Canada’s Bay of Fundy.

6. In March 2010, MCT secured approval for a lease from The Crown Estate to deploy its SeaGen tidal current technology off Brough Ness, on the southern most tip of the Orkney Islands (South Ronaldsay) and north east of John O’Groats. The company plans to have its first phase of SeaGen tidal turbines deployed there during 2017 with the whole scheme operational by 2020.

Client News-UK ENERGY MINISTER APPLAUDS SEAGEN TIDAL PROJECT

UK ENERGY MINISTER APPLAUDS SEAGEN TIDAL PROJECT

On a visit to Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, the UK’s Energy Minister, today congratulated Marine Current Turbines (MCT) on its achievements to design, deploy and operate its SeaGen tidal current energy system.

SeaGen is the largest grid-connected marine renewable energy system in the world and which last month exceeded 1000 hours of commercial operation. SeaGen is the first tidal current energy system in the world to have achieved this milestone. The 1.2MW tidal current turbine, which was deployed in April 2008, has achieved a capacity factor of 66% and so far delivered more than 800MWh of electricity into the National Grid.

Lord Hunt, who used his visit to launch the Marine Energy Action Plan for UK waters, said “I applaud Marine Current Turbines’ pioneering work with SeaGen. The company’s engineering expertise and determination is to be admired. The success of the SeaGen project shows how British companies, like MCT, with the active support from Government, can harness the massive energy potential that exists in British and overseas waters, and at the same time form the basis of a new and world-class industry for Britain.”

Martin Wright, Managing Director of Marine Current Turbines said: “We are delighted to welcome Lord Hunt to Strangford Lough. The support and encouragement of the UK Government, both in London and Belfast, were instrumental in getting SeaGen deployed. SeaGen is showing that tidal power can be a reality. We hope that SeaGen’s demonstrable success will help to maintain the vital political impetus necessary for Government policy initiatives that are still required to commercialise the technology and ensure that it, together with the rest of the British marine energy sector, makes a long-term contribution to the UK economy. “

“The recent investment in MCT made by global engineering company, Siemens, underlines the commercial potential and engineering quality of our patented SeaGen technology but a significant step change in the financing of marine energy projects will be necessary if we are to deploy the UK’s first tidal array by 2012. SeaGen’s success, coupled with the support of Siemens, Carbon Trust Investments and our other shareholders, puts MCT in a strong position to meet the challenges that lie ahead.”

Siemens Energy’s investment in Marine Current Turbines was announced last month (February 25th 2010). New investment in the company from the Carbon Trust, EDF Energy and other shareholders was secured in December 2009 and February 2010. These two funding rounds totalled £8.5million.

In February 2010, Marine Current Turbines also received £2.7m from the UK Government’s Marine Renewables Proving Fund and administered by the Carbon Trust. This funding stream is being used to support the improvement of SeaGen’s operation and its future installation.

Notes to Editors:

1. Marine Current Turbines Ltd (www.marineturbines.com) is based in Bristol, England. The company was established in 2000 and its principal corporate shareholders include BankInvest, Carbon Trust Investments, EDF Energy, ESB International, Guernsey Electricity, High Tide and Siemens Energy.

2. In September 2009, MCT was ranked the world’s top tidal energy company in The Guardian/Clean Tech Global 100 Survey and in June 2009 won Renewable Energy Developer of the Year in the UK Renewable Energy Association Annual Awards.

3. MCT’s 1.2MW SeaGen was deployed in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough in April 2008; it has the capacity to generate power for the equivalent of about 1500 homes. It works in principle much like an “underwater windmill” with the rotors driven by the power of the tidal currents rather than the wind. The SeaGen turbine is subject to a rigorous monitoring programme imposed under its licensing conditions to ensure it does not threaten the marine life of Strangford Lough where it is located.

4. SeaGen is accredited by OFGEM as a UK power station and so is a recipient of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs).

5. Since February 2008, MCT has partnered RWE npower renewables on plans to develop a 10MW tidal farm in waters off Anglesey, north Wales and is working with Minas Bay Pulp & Paper to deploy a single SeaGen system in Canada’s Bay of Fundy.

Client News-MARINE CURRENT TURBINES TO DEPLOY TIDAL FARM OFF ORKNEY AFTER SECURING SITE LEASE FROM THE CROWN ESTATE

MARINE CURRENT TURBINES TO DEPLOY TIDAL FARM OFF ORKNEY

AFTER SECURING SITE LEASE FROM THE CROWN ESTATE

Marine Current Turbines Ltd has secured approval for a lease from The Crown Estate to deploy its award-winning SeaGen tidal current technology off Brough Ness, on the southern most tip of the Orkney Islands (South Ronaldsay) and north east of John O’Groats. The company plans to have its first phase of SeaGen tidal turbines deployed during 2017 with the whole scheme operational by 2020.

Marine Current Turbines (MCT) is planning to install 66 SeaGen tidal turbines in three phases over a four year period in a site area of 4.3 square kilometres. The Brough Ness tidal array will have a total generating capacity of 99MW – enough power for nearly 100,000 homes.

SeaGen is the world-leading prototype tidal energy turbine designed and deployed by MCT. It is the largest grid-connected marine renewable energy system in the world and which last month exceeded 1000 hours of commercial operation in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough. It is the first tidal current energy system in the world to have achieved this milestone. The 1.2MW tidal current turbine, which was deployed in April 2008, has achieved a capacity factor of 66% and so far delivered more than 800MWh of electricity into the National Grid.

Martin Wright, Managing Director of Marine Current Turbines said: “The Pentland Firth and Orkney waters are strategically the most important marine energy areas in Western Europe so we are delighted to have secured approval for a lease by The Crown Estate. I believe that MCT is in a very strong position to capitalise on this significant and challenging opportunity. MCT already has the valuable experience of deploying and operating SeaGen in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough and within the next two to three years we expect to have deployed our first tidal farm in UK waters.”

Subject to financing and final agreements with The Crown Estate, Marine Current Turbines is aiming to secure planning and environment consents for Brough Ness by 2015, to start construction in 2016 and the first phase of deployment in 2017. The timing of construction and deployment will be dependent on the local grid infrastructure being strengthened.

Roger Bright CB, Chief Executive of The Crown Estate said: "I am delighted to announce that Marine Current Turbines has been awarded the Brough Ness site to develop 99MW of tidal energy power in Pentland Firth And Orkney Waters, the world’s first commercial wave and tidal leasing round.

"The 1.2GW of installed capacity proposed by the wave and tidal energy developers for 2020, shows the world that marine energy can produce meaningful amounts of electricity and offers a real alternative to conventional power production. The long term prospects for this growing industry are exceptionally bright, with vast amounts of untapped energy in the seas all around the UK. It will create new businesses and jobs as well as attracting inward investment.”

As with its SeaGen project in Northern Ireland, where local companies played a prominent part in delivering the scheme, Marine Current Turbines will look to companies in the Orkneys and Caithness & Sutherland to support its Brough Ness tidal project.

Martin Wright added: “We recognise that the local supply chain could provide us with valuable expertise, not least in marine and port services, and in engineering and fabrication. We are very keen to work with local companies and the local agencies so that they can share in this exciting opportunity.”

This latest news from MCT comes a day after Lord Hunt, the UK’s Energy Minister visited the company’s SeaGen project in Northern Ireland (March 15th), and follows Siemens Energy’s investment in Marine Current Turbines that was announced last month (February 25th 2010) and new investment in the company from the Carbon Trust, EDF Energy and other shareholders in December 2009 and February 2010. These two funding rounds totalled £8.5million.

In February 2010, Marine Current Turbines also received £2.7m from the UK Government’s Marine Renewables Proving Fund and administered by the Carbon Trust. This funding stream is being used to support the improvement of SeaGen’s operation and its future installation.

Notes to Editors:

1. Marine Current Turbines Ltd (www.marineturbines.com) is based in Bristol, England. The company was established in 2000 and its principal corporate shareholders include BankInvest, Carbon Trust Investments, EDF Energy, ESB International, Guernsey Electricity, High Tide and Siemens Energy.

2. In September 2009, MCT was ranked the world’s top tidal energy company in The Guardian/Clean Tech Global 100 Survey and in June 2009 won Renewable Energy Developer of the Year in the UK Renewable Energy Association Annual Awards.

3. MCT’s 1.2MW SeaGen was deployed in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough in April 2008; it has the capacity to generate power for the equivalent of about 1500 homes. It works in principle much like an “underwater windmill” with the rotors driven by the power of the tidal currents rather than the wind. The SeaGen turbine is subject to a rigorous monitoring programme imposed under its licensing conditions to ensure it does not threaten the marine life of Strangford Lough where it is located.

4. SeaGen is accredited by OFGEM as a UK power station and so is a recipient of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs).

5. Since February 2008, MCT has partnered RWE npower renewables on plans to develop a 10MW tidal farm in waters off Anglesey, north Wales and is working with Minas Bay Pulp & Paper to deploy a single SeaGen system in Canada’s Bay of Fundy.

Client News-International business backing for leading UK tidal energy company

International business backing for leading UK tidal energy company

SIEMENS INVESTS IN MARINE CURRENT TURBINES

British tidal energy company, Marine Current Turbines Ltd, today announces that global engineering firm, Siemens, has invested in the firm alongside the Carbon Trust, High Tide and other private investors.

Following an investment round led by the Carbon Trust in 2009, this latest funding brings the total investment in Marine Current Turbines over the past two months to £8.5million. Investors in the first round included Bank Invest, Carbon Trust, EDF Energy and High Tide.

Lord Hunt, Minister of State for the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change welcomed the new £4.8million funding round saying “Our seas are a fantastic asset that can generate clean, green and home-grown power that will boost our transition to a low carbon economy. I’m pleased that more investors are coming forward to back Marine Current Turbines as they seek to harness the UK’s excellent tidal resources.”

The total funding will help Marine Current Turbines (MCT) in its plans to deploy the UK’s first commercial tidal energy farm in UK waters within the next two years. SeaGen, the company’s world-leading prototype commercial tidal energy turbine, has already exceeded 1,000 hours of operation in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough, a first for any marine energy device.

René Umlauft, CEO of the Renewable Energy Division of Siemens Energy said: “With this investment in an early stage company we’re securing access to an innovative technology in the field of renewables. As one of the technology leaders in ocean power, Marine Current Turbines is a suitable partner for us to enter the promising ocean power market.”

Martin Wright, Managing Director of Marine Current Turbines said: “Siemens’ investment in MCT underlines the significant commercial potential that exists for tidal energy across the globe, and enables us to draw upon the company’s extensive knowledge and experience in turbine generation technology. We are delighted to have Siemens on board. Siemens is a company with an outstanding international reputation and will help us develop our technology and deliver tidal energy on a commercial and global basis.”

Tom Delay, Chief Executive, Carbon Trust said: “This new deal represents a major vote of confidence in Britain’s marine energy industry. The UK must urgently diversify, decarbonise and secure its energy sources and marine energy could over time provide up to 20% of the UK’s electricity. Generating electricity from the UK’s powerful wave and tidal resource not only plays a crucial role in meeting our climate change targets but also presents a significant economic opportunity for the UK.”

Ends

For further information & images of MCT’s tidal technology:

Marine Current Turbines

Martin Wright, Managing Director Paul Taylor (Taylor Keogh Communications)

Tel: + 44 (0)117 979 1888 / +44 (0)7785 340671 Tel: +44 (0)20 3170 8465 / +44 (0)7966 782611

Email: paul@taylorkeogh.com

Siemens press office

Eva-Maria Baumann

Tel: +49 9131 18-3700

E-mail: eva-maria.baumann@siemens.com



Carbon Trust press office

Tel: +44 (0)207 544 3100

Client News-MCT's SeaGen passes 1000 hours landmark

SEAGEN PASSES 1000 OPERATIONAL HOURS OF TIDAL CURRENT ENERGY AT STRANGFORD LOUGH

Wednesday, February 10th 2010

SeaGen, the world-leading prototype tidal energy turbine designed and deployed by Marine Current Turbines Ltd (MCT) has exceeded 1000 hours of operation in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough. It is the first tidal current or wave energy system in the world to have achieved this milestone.

The 1.2MW tidal current turbine, the largest megawatt scale grid-connected marine renewable energy system in the world, has achieved a capacity factor of 66% and so far delivered 800MWh into the National Grid.

This high capacity factor means that the tidal turbine delivers energy on average at the same rate to be expected from a wind turbine of approximately twice the rated power. Furthermore, the output is totally predictable. This performance has exceeded expectations largely thanks to the intensity of the Strangford Lough tide race and MCT’s own conservative design predictions.

Martin Wright, Managing Director of Marine Current Turbines said: “We are delighted with SeaGen’s performance. Passing the 1000 hours mark is a great milestone which not only demonstrates the potential for tidal power, but will also help to reinforce confidence in extracting energy from the seas in the future.”

Since starting operation in late 2008, SeaGen’s operation has been limited by its licence conditions to daylight hours, and it is only since the autumn (2009) that SeaGen has operated automatically and without the presence of “marine mammal observers” on board. It was this change that has allowed a considerable increase in SeaGen’s operational hours.

The company is now preparing SeaGen for more intensive operation and it is hoped to gain consent for continuous “24/7” operation before the summer. In the next few weeks, MCT’s also plans to run SeaGen under supervision of specialists from DNV (Det Norsk Veritas), one of the world’s leading marine classification societies, to obtain independent verification of its performance.

Martin Wright added: “SeaGen is operating as it was designed to do. Crucially, the operational experience and data that we are gaining every day is hugely valuable as we work towards deploying the UK’s first tidal farm within the next two years. SeaGen is a commercial scale prototype and already we are incorporating into the design of the next machines subtle changes to improve maintainability and reliability which are vital for commercial generation.”

Last week (February 2nd), MCT secured £2.7m from the Carbon Trust’s Marine Renewables Proving Fund to support the company’s evaluation and operation of SeaGen as a precursor to the deployment of a tidal farm by MCT in UK waters.



Notes to Editors:

1. Marine Current Turbines Ltd (www.marineturbines.com) is based in Bristol, England. The company was established in 2000 and its principal corporate shareholders include BankInvest, Carbon Trust Investments, EDF Energy, ESB International, Guernsey Electricity and High Tide. The company has a power purchase agreement with Ireland’s ESB Independent Energy for SeaGen’s output.

2. In September 2009, MCT was ranked the world’s top tidal energy company in The Guardian/Clean Tech Global 100 Survey and in June 2009 won Renewable Energy Developer of the Year in the UK Renewable Energy Association Annual Awards.

3. The SeaGen turbine is subject to a rigorous monitoring programme imposed under its licensing conditions to ensure it does not threaten the marine life of Strangford Lough where it is located. At present, SeaGen is still only permitted to operate in daylight hours and has to be continuously monitored by an observer on-shore using sonar to see that the marine life, in particular seals and porpoises, are not at risk from the 16m diameter twin rotors which rotate at about 14 rpm.

4. SeaGen is accredited by OFGEM as a UK power station and so is a recipient of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs).

Client News-ENGINEERING DESIGN PROGRAMME START FOR GATEWAY GAS STORAGE FACILITY

Press Release

Thursday, January 21^st 2010

For media enquiries, please contact Paul Taylor (Taylor Keogh Communications): +44 (0)20 3170 8465 / +44 (0)7966 782611

ENGINEERING DESIGN PROGRAMME START FOR GATEWAY GAS STORAGE FACILITY

2014 targeted for commercial operation

Detailed engineering work on the Gateway gas storage facility, to be built offshore in the East Irish Sea, has started. AMEC, Parsons Brinckerhoff and Senergy have been appointed by Gateway Storage Company to undertake the front-end engineering design (FEED) work for both the offshore and onshore elements of the 1.5bn cubic metre underground storage scheme.

The work over the next 12 months will support a commitment to construction of the facility at the end of 2010 and enable the commencement of gas storage services for the UK market in 2014.

The £600m storage facility will add new capacity equal to approximately 30% of current UK storage capacity, sufficient to meet five days of Britain’s average gas demand.

Gateway will be built in salt caverns approximately 750m beneath the surface of the seabed and located 15 miles offshore, south west of Barrow-in-Furness. The Gateway facility will be connected to the National Gas Transmission System (NTS) via a new pipeline to a gas compression station adjacent to the existing Morecambe gas terminals at Barrow.

AMEC’s work will include offshore installations, pipelines, the onshore compression station at the Morecambe terminals and the connections into the National Grid. Parsons Brinckerhoff will advise Gateway on the salt cavern design and construction, and Senergy’s work will concentrate on the offshore infrastructure, installation, logistics and well designs. The project team has been mobilised and is based in Aberdeen.

Andrew Stacey, Director of Gateway Storage, said: “The detailed engineering design work, and the tender process for the main construction contracts that will follow later this year, will support a commitment to construction at the end of this year and the start of storage services during 2014. We are delighted to have the depth of experience that AMEC, Parsons Brinckerhoff and Senergy offer us and look forward to working with them in order to deliver the much needed Gateway facility.”

“Given the scale of the project, there is much work to do but Gateway Storage will bring storage capacity and deliverability to the UK energy market, and so help reduce price volatility and risk.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Gateway Storage (www.gatewaystorage.co.uk) secured consent from the UK Government in November 2008 and from Barrow Council in June 2008, and a site licence agreement from the Crown Estate in 2007.

2. Gateway Storage is a company that was formed to develop the gas storage project and is managed by Stag Energy. Stag Energy (www.stagenergy.com) is an independent company, headquartered in Edinburgh. The company, established in 2002, has extensive experience of managing the development, construction and operations of gas storage and power generation projects in the UK and overseas.

3. Storing gas in salt caverns enables firms to retrieve gas rapidly to cope with spikes in peak demand. The British Geological Survey, in a report commissioned by BERR, highlighted a number of offshore areas suitable for salt caverns, including the Irish Sea and the Southern North Sea. In its report, the BGS specifically noted that Gateway’s site was located in one of the very best areas in the UK.

4. Senergy (www.senergyworld.com) is a circa £80million ($120million) revenue energy services company with headquarters in Aberdeen, UK, and a network of global offices in the UK, Norway, Middle East, South-East Asia and Australia. Established in 2005, Senergy provides integrated energy services encompassing geosciences, reservoir engineering, geohazard assessment, marine site surveys, rig positioning, wells engineering and operations, project management and alternative energy solutions.

5. AMEC (LSE: AMEC) is a focused supplier of high-value consultancy, engineering and project management services to the world’s natural resources, nuclear, clean energy, water and environmental sectors. With annual revenues of over £2.6 billion, AMEC designs, delivers and maintains strategic and complex assets for its customers. AMEC's Natural Resources, Power & Process and Earth & Environmental businesses employ almost 22,000 people in around 40 countries worldwide (www.amec.com).

6. Parsons Brinckerhoff (www.pbworld.com) develops and operates infrastructure around the world, with 13,000 employees in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Australia-Pacific regions. PB offers skills and resources in strategic consulting, planning, engineering, program/construction management and operations for all modes of infrastructure including transportation, power, community development, water and the environment.

For further information:

Gateway Storage Company Ltd

Andrew Stacey / George Grant

T: +44 (0)131 550 3380

E : astacey@stagenergy.com

ggrant@stagenergy.com

or

Paul Taylor (Taylor Keogh Communications)

T: +44 (0) 20 3170 8465

E: paul@taylorkeogh.com

Client News-CLEAN COAL LTD SECURES LICENCES TO INVESTIGATE UNDERGROUND COAL GASIFICATION AT FIVE UK SITES

For information/interview, please contact Clean Coal Ltd’s Chairman: Rohan Courtney on +44 (0)7879 498544 or rohan.courtney@cleancoalucg.com

PRESS RELEASE, 9^th December 2009

CLEAN COAL LTD SECURES LICENCES TO INVESTIGATE UNDERGROUND COAL GASIFICATION AT FIVE UK SITES

The UK Coal Authority has awarded Clean Coal Ltd licences to investigate the potential for underground coal gasification at 5 sites in the UK. If the investigations over the next 12-18 months prove to be successful, commercial operations could start by 2014/15 and could lead to underground coal gasification producing 3-5% of the UK’s total energy requirement by that date. This would be the first time that gasification of underground coal has featured in the UK energy market.

Clean Coal Ltd is a British/US company that specialises in underground coal gasification. As well as the UK, it is seeking to develop projects in other parts of Europe, Asia and North America.

In the UK, the UK Coal Authority has awarded the company licences to investigate five underground sites offshore from:

o Canonbie, Dumfrieshire

o Cromer, Norfolk

o Humberside

o Sunderland

o Swansea Bay

The investigations will include seismic and borehole surveys and the investigation areas range from 40 to 100 square kilometres and the depths of the coal range from 500 to 1200 metres below ground. The combined coal reserves for the five sites are estimated at around 1 billion tonnes.

Rohan Courtney, Chairman of Clean Coal Ltd said: “Recent developments in directional drilling technology and the growing need for new, secure and environmentally benign sources of energy means that underground coal gasification now merits serious investigation. This is an exciting and commercially viable development which can bring significant benefit to the UK economy.”

Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a method of converting deep seam coals into a combustible, high-quality and affordable gas than can be used for power generation, industrial heating, or the manufacture of hydrogen, syngas or diesel fuel. The gasification of coal in-situ is achieved by drilling boreholes into the coal and injecting water/air or water/oxygen mixtures. It is both an extraction process (like coal mining) and a conversion process (gasification) in one step (NB. see attached briefing note for more information).

Clean Coal Ltd expect to commence the site surveys in the first half of next year, and will host public exhibitions in each area to give local people the chance to know more about the work that will be undertaken.

For further information:

Clean Coal Ltd (www.cleancoalucg.com)

Rohan Courtney OBE, Chairman

Tel: 01483 832227 / 07879 498544

Email: rohan.courtney@cleancoalucg.com

Or

Catherine Bond, Chief Executive

Tel: 07788 872770

Email: cbond@cleancoalucg.com

Notes to Editors

1. The Clean Coal team has extensive experience in energy activities, underground coal gasification, coal mining and production. Its skill base extends through production development, project management, geology, chemical and industrial engineering, hydrogeology, seismology, modelling tools and directional drilling. Clean Coal has formed a grouping of the world’s most experienced UCG specialists. The team that developed and operated the only EU backed trial to be undertaken in Europe is strongly represented together with specialists with significant UCG knowledge.

2. Interest in UCG as a secure and economic source of energy has increased over the past five years. Most coal producing countries now have a comprehensive UCG programme comprising of feasibility studies, planning demonstrations and commercial scale projects. In-seam and Directional Drilling technology, formulated for the oil and gas industry, has transformed the UCG process, making it easier, more successful and more commercially viable.

3. Commercial scale projects have started in Australia, China, South Africa and India. Large-scale operations (>1GW) were developed by the Soviets in the 1970s and at least one plant in Uzbekistan still operates today. Low natural gas prices in the 1990s eliminated much of the ongoing development in US, although in Europe, a substantial programme of development in deeper seams was maintained until the present day. Extensive trials in Europe, the US, Russia, Australia, have proven the technology on many occasions.

4. In an article published in the August 2009 edition of Modern Power Systems, Kenneth Fergusson, Senior Independent Advisor to the UCG Partnership and former head of the UK Coal Authority said: “in contrast to the limited reserves of mineable coal in Britain, reported by the Coal Authority as less than 200 million tons, and being extracted at a rate of about 20 Mt per year, a study by DTI in 2004 predicted that there was about 17 billion tons of potentially gasifiable coal onshore in Britain; a parallel estimate produced a figure at least double that offshore, a total of over 50 billion tons. Expressed as life of the resource, this is centuries of our total national energy consumption and at least a millennium of CCGT output at projected rates. Even with uncertainties about the recoverability of the coal in place, the size of the resource for UCG is not likely to be a constraint for a very, very long time”.