First published in the Quoted Cleantech website, February 2011. Copyright Cleantech Investor 2011

 Coal bed methane producer Alkane Energy says its 2010 trading was in line with expectations. AIM-quoted Alkane increased its electricity output by more than one-quarter.

Electricity output generated from coal bed methane increased from 95GWh to around 120GWh, thanks to three new sites that started production during the year. There are 12 operating sites and a further three are due to open in the coming year.

The price received for the electricity last year declined from £54/MWh to £44/Mwh, though. There has been a recovery in the electricity price and two-thirds of expected 2011 output is contracted at an average price of £48MWh.

Alkane is working on a number of biogas projects with TEG Group. This includes a contract to supply gas to power facilities for an anaerobic digestion plant at Glenfarg in Scotland.

The 2010 figures will be published on 9 March.