17th May 2007 14:00
Rio Tinto PLC17 May 2007 Rio Tinto and BP join forces to develop clean energy worldwide BP and Rio Tinto today announced the formation of a new jointly-owned company,Hydrogen Energy, which will develop decarbonised energy projects around theworld. The venture will initially focus on hydrogen-fuelled power generation,using fossil fuels and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to producenew large-scale supplies of clean electricity. Decarbonised energy projects are based on the conversion of fossil fuelfeedstocks such as coal, petroleum coke (a refinery by-product) or natural gas,to hydrogen and carbon dioxide gases, with the carbon dioxide being captured andsent for permanent storage in geological formations deep beneath the Earth'ssurface. In power projects, the hydrogen would be used to fuel a gas turbine forgeneration of industrial-scale supplies of electrical power. Full integrationwith CCS technology would ensure that 90 per cent of the carbon dioxide whichwould otherwise have been emitted to the atmosphere would be safely captured andstored. There is rapid worldwide development of new power generating capacity as olderpower stations are replaced and new plants built to meet growth in demand,particularly in the rapidly expanding economies of the developing world.According to the International Energy Agency, about two-thirds of the generatingcapacity that will be needed in the next 25 years has yet to be built. Much ofthe growth will be in countries where coal is abundant and so the fuel isexpected to be a significant part of the energy mix. The recent UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report into thepotential to mitigate the effects of climate change recognised that reducingcarbon dioxide emissions from power generation will be vital and thattechnologies such as CCS will have a key role in meeting the challenge. It alsorecognises the role of governments in putting in place appropriate regulatoryand support mechanisms to enable this to happen. Hydrogen Energy will benefit from the world-leading capabilities of both parentcompanies: Rio Tinto's expertise and world-class assets in coal extraction andsupply; and BP's experience and expertise in chemical processing, low carbonpower generation and carbon capture and storage. Tom Albanese, Chief Executive, Rio Tinto, said: "Coal is a key part of RioTinto's energy business and we believe it has an essential role in generatingclean power in the future. The investment we are making in Hydrogen Energy willallow us to deliver decarbonised energy and carbon capture and storage. Althoughinitial projects may be based on non-coal feedstocks, they will be significantbuilding blocks in the development of coal gasification on an industrial scale.Investing now means we will be well-placed to create value for shareholders fromopportunities in the emerging clean power market." Tony Hayward, BP group chief executive, said: "Projects such as these have thepotential to help deliver the carbon emission reductions which companies andcountries around the world are now seeking. This will only be possible ifcompanies work together and work alongside governments. The combination ofskills and experience which BP and Rio Tinto bring will allow us to acceleratethe development and deployment of these important new technologies and projects." Hydrogen Energy, whose final formation will be subject to regulatory approvals,will identify and secure opportunities for decarbonised energy projectsworldwide, working with governments to determine appropriate policies andregulatory regimes, and develop and operate the assets, with partners whereappropriate. The projects will typically use coal or petroleum coke asfeedstock; although in some cases natural gas may be used. The previously announced hydrogen-fuelled power projects in Peterhead, Scotlandand Carson, California will become part of Hydrogen Energy. As part of theagreement, Rio Tinto will make a cash payment to BP of some $32million, subjectto post-completion adjustments. Hydrogen Energy will be headquartered in Weybridge in the south-east of Englandand will initially have a staff of 75 seconded from the parent companies. Thechief executive of Hydrogen Energy was today named as Lewis Gillies, formerlyhead of BP's hydrogen power business and its chief financial officer as PeterCunningham, formerly head of business evaluation for Rio Tinto. Notes to editors: • Hydrogen Energy will be equally-owned by BP and Rio Tinto. Further information on the company can be found at: www.hydrogenenergy.com • BP, together with Scottish and Southern Energy, announced plans in June 2005 for its first hydrogen power project, in Peterhead, Scotland. The planned project would use natural gas as a feedstock, generating some 475MW electricity and capturing and storing some 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 a year in the North Sea Miller oilfield. Injection of the CO2 into the oilfield would also increase recovery of oil from the reservoir by an estimated 50-60 million barrels. Engineering design for the project is complete and the partners hope the project will be able to take part in the competition the UK government has announced to select which such project should be supported. If the decision to go ahead with the project were taken at the beginning of 2008, it would be expected to be in commercial operation in 2011. • The second planned hydrogen power project, in Carson, California, USA would use petroleum coke as feedstock. In January 2006, BP and partner Edison Mission Group announced plans to develop the 500MW power project alongside BP's Carson refinery, about 20 miles south of Los Angeles. The project would capture some four million tonnes of CO2 a year and transport it for reinjection into geological formations in southern California for permanent storage. Subject to the successful outcome of engineering studies and appropriate policy being in place, it is anticipated the final investment decision could be taken in time for the plant to be operational by the end of 2012. • Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London listed public company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. The Group finds, mines and processes the earth's mineral resources - metals and minerals essential for making thousands of everyday products that meet society's needs and contribute to improved living standards. The Group's major products include aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy products (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borates, titanium dioxide, salt and talc), and iron ore. Its activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America. There are also significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa. For further information, see: www.riotinto.com • BP is one of the world's largest oil and gas companies with operations in more than 100 countries across six continents. The company's main businesses are exploration and production of oil and gas; refining, manufacturing and marketing of oil products and petrochemicals; transportation and marketing of natural gas; and a growing business in renewable and low-carbon power, BP Alternative Energy. BP's low carbon interests combined in BP Alternative Energy include: BP Solar; the company's fast growing interests in wind power; gas-fired power generation; and BP's interest in Hydrogen Energy. For further information see: www.bp.com and www.bpalternativeenergy.com. Further information: LONDON AUSTRALIA Media contacts: BP BPDavid Nicholas Jamie JardineOffice: +44 (0)20 7496 4708 Office: +61 (0)3 9268 3534Mobile: +44 (0)7831 095541 Mobile: +65 9295 0887 Rio Tinto Rio TintoNick Cobban Ian HeadOffice: +44 (0) 20 8080 1305 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041003 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 360 101 Christina MillsMobile: +44 (0)7825 275605 Investor relations contacts: BPNick WaythOffice: +44 (0)20 7496 4638 Rio Tinto Rio TintoNigel Jones Dave SkinnerOffice: +44 (0)20 7753 2401 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628Mobile: +44 (0)7917 227 365 Mobile: +61 (0) 4 0833 5309 David Ovington Susie CreswellOffice: +44 (0)20 7753 2326 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3639Mobile: +44 (0)7920 010 978 Mobile: +61 (0) 4 1893 3792 - ENDS - This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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