Vital Renewable Energy Company (VREC) Secures Funding for Brazilian Ethanol Projects...

Vital Renewable Energy Company (VREC) Secures Funding for Brazilian Ethanol
Projects from International Investors led by Paladin Capital Group with the
Support of Brazilian Based Vision Brazil Investments

SAO PAULO, Brazil, Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Vital Renewable Energy Company
(VREC), a new Brazilian company, announced today that it has secured funding
from private investors in the United States, Europe and the Middle East, and
is ready to launch renewable energy projects in Brazil, focused mainly on
ethanol and electricity generation. The funding, which will exceed US$ 1
billion, was completed by an international consortium of investors led Paladin
Capital Group, based in Washington, DC. Vision Brazil Investments played a
leading role in the structuring of the investment and the funds advised by it
also invested in the financing round. Among the other investors are Leaf Clean
Energy Company, Petercam Asset Management and PCG Clean Energy & Technology
Fund.

VREC, in partnership with Grupo Farias -- a traditional sugarcane and ethanol
producer with over 10.5 million tons of installed crushing capacity and a
nationwide presence -- has already begun constructing its first production
unit, located in the state of Sao Paulo. "As a result of over 20 months of
detailed industry analysis and the review of numerous agricultural-industrial
projects, we selected a portfolio of initial investments focused on ethanol
production and associated energy generation capable of delivering the returns
expected by our investors" said Ricardo Roccia, CEO of VREC.

Michael Steed, Founder and Managing Partner of Paladin, said he sees Brazil as
"the world leader in the cost effective production of ethanol and it continues
to be one of the most exciting frontiers for growth in the renewable fuels
sector." Steed believes that VREC, along with its strategic partner Grupo
Farias, is "well-positioned to take advantage of the enormous global market
opportunity for sugar-based ethanol." He added that VREC "has the technical
understanding and market vision to achieve near term successes as well as
deliver on all its potential for growth on the long term."

VREC plans to invest in a broad range of new projects in Brazil related to
ethanol and energy generation. They also will consider purchases of existing
ethanol facilities and investment opportunities in ethanol infrastructure.

About Paladin Capital Group
Founded in 2001, Paladin Capital Group is a leading multi-stage private equity
firm providing capital for companies offering products, services and
technologies that address homeland security needs, alternative energy sources
and that enhance critical infrastructure world-wide. Please contact Ken
Pentimonti (202-293-5590 or kpentimonti@paladincapgroup.com) with any
inquiries regarding Paladin Capital Group.

About Leaf Clean Energy Company
Leaf Clean Energy Company is an AIM listed company focused on acquiring
interests in, owning, operating and managing clean energy companies and
projects and other projects that create environmental benefits through
greenhouse gas emission reductions.

About Vision Brazil Investments
Vision Brazil Investments, based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, is focused on fund
investment advisory and private equity investments in Brazil on behalf of US,
European and Middle East institutional investors. In addition to the
investment advisory activity, Vision is a leader in originating and
structuring asset based lending and structured finance transactions in Brazil.
Vision focuses on the following segments: Distressed Debt Recovery,
Agricultural Credit, Real Estate Development and Securitization, Consumer
Finance, Restructured Debt, Renewable Energy and Agricultural Land Investment.

About Petercam
Founded in 1968 by the merger of two foreign exchange brokers, Petercam is
currently a leading brokerage firm in the Benelux focusing on Private Banking,
Institutional Asset Management, Corporate Finance and Brokerage. The 3P
Tangible Assets Fund was launched in 2007. This is a Specialized Investment
Fund which participates in several tangible assets investment projects with
specific focuses on renewable energy projects.

About PCG Clean Energy & Technology Fund
The PCG Clean Energy & Technology Fund is a sector-focused commingled
fund-of-funds and co-investment fund targeting the global clean energy and
technology value chain. The investment objective of the Fund is to construct a
portfolio of investments diversified by geography, stage, vintage year,
structure and sub-sector.

SOURCE Vital Renewable Energy Company

Ricardo Prospero Roccia, Chief Executive Officer of VREC, rroccia@vrec.com.br