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Demonstration Projects With Statoil and Lyse and Gothenburg Energy will Feature GE’s Latest Offshore, Direct Drive Wind Turbine Technology

Brussels (B), 22 June 2010. The Assembly of European Regions (AER) and GE Energy today announced the launch of R.E.F.E.R. (Responsible Energy for European Regions), a blog aimed at facilitating thoughts and discussion on energy matters across all regions of Europe. Available at http://refer.blogactiv.eu, R.E.F.E.R. reports on the latest energy news, energy analysis and commentary about the various regional energy markets, energy efficiency, regional sustainability, secure energy supplies and public policies from across Europe.

Far from being a mere publication, R.E.F.E.R. will allow the exchange of views and ideas between politicians, companies, researchers and citizens.

“Global warming is our generation’s greatest challenge and solving it is an opportunity to build a healthy, sustainable and prosperous future. With the regional approach, we transform the debate and lay the groundwork for a successful, multi-stakeholder climate action agenda.” said Michèle Sabban, AER President. “I invite all living forces, politicians, civil society and citizens, to join and enrich this blog and help us improve the implementation of sustainable energy solutions that will benefit both the regions’ economy and our citizens’ quality-of-life”.

“Our goal is to support Europe in meeting its ambitious 20-20-20 climate goals. Apart from offering our extensive portfolio of greener and more efficient energy technologies, supporting initiatives like this blog can help support development, growth and networking in all areas of energy. We want to encourage discussions on various issues and share different views to raise awareness of what we can do today to build a sustainable future”, said Ricardo Cordoba, President of GE Energy for Western Europe and North Africa.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) and GE Energy welcome your comments at http://refer.blogactiv.eu/

Well-structured and reader-friendly, R.E.F.E.R. (Responsible Energy For European Regions) provides news and expert views on the latest energy developments and facilitates discussion around them.

About AER - GE Energy’s cooperation
The blog is the latest joint initiative of GE Energy and AER, who in 2009 have teamed up in an innovative collaboration between public and private stakeholders in the energy field to tackle climate change on a regional level. By joining forces, AER and GE Energy have created a unique gateway between globally renowned energy experts and regional public decision makers. The aim is both to support the European Union’s energy and environmental strategy and to facilitate the creation of a benchmark centre of expertise and solution provision in the energy field for all European regions.

AER and GE Energy have held the first European Regions Energy Day in April 2010, a joint initiative to examine the energy challenges facing European regions today and to promote their possible solutions. The European Regions Energy Day is the first summit to bring together regional decision makers and European energy experts and will be held annually in Brussels, Belgium.

Contacts

Assembly of the European Regions
Francine Huhardeaux
Chargée de Presse & Communication
+33 (0)3 88 22 74 49
f.huhardeaux@aer.eu

LONDON, UK.—June 18th 2010 — RWE npower, a leading integrated UK energy company serving around 6.7 million customer accounts in Great Britain, recently selected GE (NYSE: GE) technology to reduce emissions, improve efficiency and extend the life of its Little Barford power station near St. Neots, Cambridgeshire. As part of a contract including the uprate of two 9F gas turbines and a six-year Maintenance Support Agreement, the upgrade includes the first UK installation of GE’s dual fuel DLN2.6+ combustion system technology, which enables a reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 40%.

The DLN2.6+ technology allows the gas turbines to be operated at reduced power during off-peak periods while maintaining low emissions levels. This saves fuel consumption and leads to reduced operating costs.  DLN2.6+ technology is already in use at power plants elsewhere in Europe, notably in Italy, where emissions regulations are particularly stringent.  This UK project fits with the European Union’s 20/20/20 target, which involves a 20% cut in emissions of greenhouse gases by 2020, compared to 1990 levels.

Kevin McCullough, Chief Technical Officer for RWE npower, said: “Modern gas-fired power stations are already the cleanest fossil fuelled power stations.  This contract, part of a wider programme of investment in major equipment at Little Barford, will increase power output as well as cutting the station’s carbon footprint - ensuring we will be in the best position to provide reliable power generation into the future.”     

The uprated 9F gas turbines are scheduled to be in commercial operation by the third quarter of 2012. The station’s gas turbine control system also will be upgraded with a GE Mark* VIe control system.

“As our first DLN 2.6+ project in the United Kingdom, we are pleased to bring our expertise and proven flexible, low NOx technology to help reduce emissions in the UK,” said Magued Eldaief, managing director United Kingdom for GE Energy. “This upgrade will enable Little Barford to operate more efficiently and flexibly”. 

*Mark is a registered trademark of the General Electric Company.

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For more information, contact:

Catherine Edenborough 
GE Energy Services    
+44 (0) 1420 595872    
catherine.edenborough@ge.com