Ecosecurities registers largest ‘Gold Standard’ project

A windfarm in Turkey has become the largest project to be registered under the Gold Standard.

The 135-MW windfarm, when fully complete in 2010, will prevent 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from being emitted into the atmosphere each year, London-listed project developer Ecosecurities said today.

The first verification for the emission reductions achieved by the wind farm is planned later this year, the statement said.

Gold Standard certifies greenhouse gas reduction projects with proven sustainable development benefits, and the credits generated from the projects are used in both the compliance and voluntary offset markets.

The Rotor Elektrik Uretim windfarm, owned by Zorlu Energy Group, was registered under the Gold Standard in May.

The total investment cost of the windfarm is €200 million.

Zorlu Enerji has constructed the first phase of the project, which currently has 15 turbines in place, and will become operational in the next few weeks with an installed capacity of 37.5 MW.

Ecosecurities has more than 40 “high quality” emission reduction projects within its voluntary portfolio, according to the statement.