Two of GE Energy ‘s ecomagination^TM-certified Jenbacher coal mine methane (CMM) gas engines have been selected by the Sichuan Coal Group for its Furong project that will use CMM to generate onsite power for the mine. There is a drive currently in China to reduce the amount of methane-rich greenhouse gases that escape from the nation’s coal mines. The new alternative energy power plant is located in XunChang Town, Gongxian County, 40 km from YiBin City, in Sichuan Province. Sichuan Coal Group Furong CMG Utilization Co Power Plant will feature two of GE Energy’s Gas engines, each providing an electrical output of 3.048 MW. The plant also will use the gas engines’ exhaust gas to produce steam, which will be used in a steam turbine to generate additional power for the site. These GE Jenbacher units are scheduled to be in operation by the end of March 2009.

“We have provided Jenbacher gas engines in China for a long period of time for various applications. Our technology was recognised by Chinese customers and with the recent resources and capability we invested in China, we hope to strengthen customer service and broaden our reach into different regions in the country,” said Jack Wen, President and CEO of GE Energy China.

China has been adopting stricter environmental policies that are driving the development of more CMM power projects. In April 2008, to curtail the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection prohibited coal mines from releasing gases containing more than 30% methane, which is the second largest global contributor to greenhouse gas emissions after CO₂ and has 21 times the greenhouse warming potential of CO₂.

In addition to power generation, Sichuan Coal Group Furong CMG Utilization Co Power Plant is eligible for carbon credit trading under the United Nations-backed Clean Development Mechanism program, providing Sichuan Coal Group with additional financial support for the project.