Key US patent granted

Ceres Power Holdings plc 13 December 2004 Ceres Power Holdings plc ('Ceres Power' or the 'Company') Trading Update Ceres Power is granted major US patent Ceres Power, the AIM listed fuel cell company, has been granted a landmark patent in the US. The patent covers the fundamental design behind Ceres Power's metal supported fuel cell technology, and provides the Company with a crucial springboard in the key US market. North America offers a substantial marketing opportunity for the Company's unique fuel cells, which can generate electricity using natural gas as well as hydrogen. Ceres Power Chief Executive Peter Bance said: 'This important patent was successfully granted unaltered and unopposed, underscoring how even in the highly active US fuel cell market Ceres' technology is revolutionary. We are pleased to have secured the patent just as we begin to generate initial commercial revenues through co-development and testing trials with global industrial giants, including a large American engineering firm.' Mr Bance added: 'Securing a strong patent position in each of our target territories is a key part of our growth plans. With our core patent now in place in the US, we have the protection we need to exploit our technology in one of the industry's most sought after markets.' The Company currently has a pipeline of more than 10 patents and trademarks with the potential for worldwide geographic coverage. Background information Fuel cells are devices that produce clean, silent electricity and heat for a wide range of market applications. Ceres Power's fuel cells can also be manufactured using widely available low cost materials and mass production techniques. Ceres Power has spent more than 12 years developing and proving its breakthrough technology which is being designed for use in a number of products, such as combined heat and power boilers for the home, and stand alone generators. For further information contact: Peter Bance, Chief Executive, Ceres Power Ltd: +44 (0) 1293 400 404 Allan Piper: First City Financial Public Relations: +44 (0) 20 7436 7486 +44 (0) 7736 064 982 Jag Mundi, Numis Securites Ltd: +44 (0) 20 7776 1500 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange