BP (BP)

     We are developing a new silicon growth process named Mono^2™, which significantly increases cell efficiency over traditional multicrystalline-based solar cells, making our first pilot shipment in 2007. Solar cells made with these wafers, in combination with other BP Solar advances in cell process technology, are expected to be able to produce between 5% and 8% more power than solar cells made with conventional processes. We are working with a number of research universities and institutes including the California Institute of Technology in the US where we are pursuing nanotube solar installations. This represents another step improvement in cost and efficiency. In Germany, we signed a co-operation agreement with the Institute of Crystal Growth (IKZ) in September 2006 to develop a technique to deposit silicon in very thin layers directly on glass instead of growing crystals. The programme has demonstrated this ability and work continues to improve the growth process and crystal structure. We are participating in a $40-million research and development programme (of which $20 million is provided by BP Solar) aimed at decreasing the cost of solar cells and increasing their efficiency. The programme is sponsored by the US Department of Energy.

Wind
Since 2005, we have increased our wind capacity from 32MW to more than 370MW, with an aim to grow that to more than 1,000MW by the end of 2008. We operate wind farms in the Netherlands, Maharashtra in India and Colorado in the US.
     In the US, we have a long-term supply agreement with Clipper Windpower plc, with options to purchase Clipper turbines with a total capacity of 2,250MW. During 2006, we also acquired Orion Energy, LLC, and Greenlight Energy, Inc. With the acquisition of these large-scale wind energy developers, our North American wind portfolio includes projects with potential total generating capacity of some 15,000MW. During 2007, we commenced construction on the Silver Star I project (60MW) in Texas and commenced full commercial operation of our 300MW Cedar Creek project in Colorado.
     In India, we commenced full commercial operations at our 40MW wind farm in Dhule, Maharashtra, India using 32 turbines supplied and installed by Suzlon, each with the capacity to generate 1.25MW of electricity.

Gas-fired power
Gas-fired power stations typically emit around half as much CO2 as conventional coal-fired plants. We have interests in a 785MW gas-fired power generation facility and an associated LNG re-gasification facility at Bilbao, Spain (BP 25% share in each), a 1,074MW gas-fired combined cycle power (CCGT) plant at Kwangyang, South Korea (BP 35%), a 724MW CCGT facility at Phu My, Vietnam (BP 33.3%), a 1,378MW gas turbine (BP 10%) in Trinidad & Tobago, a 392MW co-generation plant (BP 51%) in California, US and a 744MW co-generation plant at Texas City, US (BP 50%), which supplies power and steam to BP’s largest refining and petrochemicals complex. Also, a 50MW combined heat and power plant near Southampton, UK (BP 100%) has been in operation since the first half of 2005. Construction continues on the 250MW steam turbine power generating plant at the Texas City refinery site, which is expected to bring the total capacity of the site to around 1,000MW when completed in 2008.

Hydrogen power
In May 2007, BP and Rio Tinto announced the formation of a new jointly owned company, Hydrogen Energy, which will develop decarbonized energy projects around the world. The venture will initially focus on hydrogen-fuelled power generation, using fossil fuels and CCS technology to produce new large-scale supplies of clean electricity.
     We are developing industrial-scale hydrogen power projects with CCS technology.
     General Electric and BP have formed a global alliance to jointly develop and deploy technology for hydrogen power plants that could significantly reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas CO2 from electricity generation.

Other businesses and corporate comprises Treasury (which includes all the group’s cash, cash equivalents and associated interest income), the group’s aluminium asset and corporate activities worldwide.