UN Approves the First CDM Methodology for Biomass Co-firing in Utility-scale
Fossil Fuel Power Stations

DUBLIN, Feb. 11 /CNW/ - EcoSecurities, a leading company in the business of sourcing and developing emission reductions from greenhouse gas abatement projects, has recently achieved successful approval of its eleventh methodology from the Clean Development Mechanism Executive Board (CDM EB). Through a renewable energy technology known as co-firing, the methodology permits the substitution of coal with solid biomass fuels in grid-connected power plants, reducing CO2 emissions and helping companies to meet their renewable energy targets.

The methodology permits the co-firing of biomass in utility-scale power plants to provide a portion of the heat to steam boilers. Biomass co-firing creates emission reductions by displacing energy otherwise generated and supplied by fossil fuels. Biomass residues are considered a source of renewable energy in accordance with the CDM EB(1), however the methodology requires that the biomass supplies are developed and maintained in a sustainable and ecologically sound manner.

EcoSecurities has developed methodologies for many sectors and technologies, such as renewable energy, reforestation, natural gas electricity generation, composting, industrial wastewater management, electrical equipment handling, landfill gas abatement and energy efficiency in metallurgy. Nearly 20% of all valid methodologies for large scale CDM projects under the CDM have been developed or worked on by EcoSecurities.

Paul Soffe, Associate Director at EcoSecurities, commented, "Biomass co-firing is a very important technology for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions on a large scale in coal power stations. Co-firing has been deployed extensively in Europe and is beginning to emerge in the US. However, the solid biomass supply markets remain underdeveloped which has restricted the more wide-spread deployment of co-firing. The approval of this methodology will help increase the production of renewable energy in the developing world and drive the necessary finance for co-firing projects to be implemented in countries with economies that remain heavily coal-dependant, in particular, China , India and South Africa ."

Notes to Editors:

About EcoSecurities:

EcoSecurities has spent the last 12 years focusing on climate change mitigation activities and is now one of the world's leading organisations in the business of sourcing and developing emission reductions. EcoSecurities' emission reduction portfolio is one of the largest in the industry, covering a wide range of technology types, geographical locations and standards, including the CDM, Gold Standard and VCS. In addition, EcoSecurities provides clients with carbon management services, helping them to understand and deal with an increasingly carbon constrained world.

EcoSecurities Group plc is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of J.P.Morgan. Additional information is available at http://www.EcoSecurities.com.

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(1) Annex 18 of EB23 - http://cdm.unfccc.int/EB/023/eb23_repan18.pdf

For further information: Naomi Stern, Westgate, [phone], [email protected]; or Claire Davey, Global Marketing Manager, EcoSecurities, [phone], [email protected]