4 September 2014

ALKANE ENERGY PLC NAMED UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL CHAMPION IN THE EUROPEAN BUSINESS AWARDS 2014/15

Alkane Energy plc Wins for United Kingdom in Prestigious Awards competition

Alkane Energy plc from Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire has today been named as a National Champion in The European Business Awards sponsored by RSM International; a prestigious competition supported by businesses leaders, academics, media and political representatives from across Europe.

The European Business Awards now in its 8th year engaged with over 24,000 business from 33 European countries this year and 709 companies from across Europe have been named today as National Champions; going through to the second phase of the competition.

Alkane is one of the UK's fastest growing independent power generators. The Company operates mid-sized 'gas to power' electricity plants providing both base load and fast response capacity to the grid. Following the recently announced acquisition of three power response sites from Carron Energy Limited and Dragon Generation Limited, Alkane has a total installed generating capacity of 140MW and an electricity grid capacity of 160MW.

Steve Goalby, Finance Director said "we're very proud to be selected to represent the United Kingdom as a National Champion. The European Business Awards is widely recognised as the showcase for Europe's most dynamic companies and we are now looking forward to the next round of the judging process where we can explain in more depth how we are achieving business success."

Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards said: "Congratulations to Alkane Energy plc, it is a great achievement to be named National Champion and we wish them luck in the next stage. The European Business Awards is going from strength to strength, inspiring businesses to greater success and helping to improve the competitive edge of companies across Europe."

Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM International, said: "Every year this competition gets tougher and more competitive as more companies, of varied sizes and across all sectors, chose to compete in this prestigious competition. With the increased number of entries and countries, this year looks to become the toughest Awards yet. It will be exciting to watch as we move through to the next round."

A panel of judges made up of Europe-wide business leaders, academics and entrepreneurs will view the National Champions' videos, and award the best of this group the coveted 'Ruban d'Honneur' status. Ruban d'Honneur recipients will then go on to the grand final in 2015. All of the National Champions will also take part in a public vote to decide 'Public Champions' for each country. Last year over 93,000 votes were cast, and over 400,000 people visited the EBA website during the competition.

Supported since their inception by lead sponsor and promoter RSM International, the seventh largest audit, tax and advisory network worldwide with a major presence across Europe , the European Business Awards was set up to recognise and reward excellence, best practice and innovation across the European business community.

For more information on the Awards and its winners, please visit www.businessawardseurope.comand follow us on twitter at @rsmEBA

For further information, please contact:

EBA: The Newsroom at the European Business Awards on +44 (0) 796 6666 657 or email vanessa.wood@businessawardseurope.comThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Alkane Energy plc: Diane Thorpe on +44 (0) 1623 821557 or email dthorpe@alkane.co.ukThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.alkane.co.uk

About the European Business Awards:

The European Business Awards recognises and rewards excellence, best practice and innovation. The competition is free to enter and open to organisations of all sizes and from any industry sector.

The European Business Awards programme serves three purposes for the European business community:

  • It provides examples for the business community to aspire to
  • It celebrates and endorses individual's and organisation's success
  • It provides an active platform for debate

About RSM International

RSM International is the lead sponsor of the European Business Awards and has sponsored the Awards programme since its inception.

RSM International is a worldwide network of independent accounting and consulting firms. RSM and its member firms are separate and independent legal entities. RSM does not provide accounting or consultancy services, all such services are provided by member firms practicing on their own account. The network's total fee income of US$3.8 billion places it amongst the top six international accounting organisations worldwide.

Member firms are driven by a common vision of providing high quality professional services, both in their domestic markets and in serving the international professional service needs of their client base. RSM is a member of the Forum of Firms. The objective of the Forum of Firms is to promote consistent and high quality standards of financial and auditing practices worldwide.

2014 marks an exceptional year for RSM International as it celebrates its 50th Anniversary .

www.rsmi.com

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