Island Gas celebrates major milestone

26th May 2009 09:34

Coal bed methane (CBM) developer Island Gas Resources was celebrating on Tuesday the first electricity generated from CBM gas in the UK.‘This is clear evidence that the UK coal bed methane industry can make a real contribution to the country's energy needs,’ claimed Island’s chief executive officer, Andrew Austin.First commercial sales of CBM-generated electricity via the National Grid are expected to be sold at or around current spot market prices and are expected to start soon. Island said the electricity produced from its pilot scheme alone should be able to meet the electricity needs of around 1,200 homes.The company also announced a 40% increase in its resource base from its previous estimated level published on 28 November.Island Gas Resources has been granted approval for a further field development programme for the commercial production of CBM gas from its sites in the Swallowcroft area in Staffordshire.