28 March 2006
British Gas has signed a £2.7 million contract with a company to supply fuel cell power units to UK homes.
The fuel cells, made by Ceres Power, generate power within the house rather than relying on centrally generated energy, which is more costly to the consumer, more harmful to the environment and less secure.
Electricity, heating and hot water will be supplied to each home by the 1kW fuel cell.
Peter Bance, chief executive of Ceres Power, said: "Ceres technology will enable up to two-thirds of UK households to use highly efficient and environmentally-friendly combined heat and power appliances in their homes.
"We are delighted to make this important announcement as it marks the transition of our partnership with British Gas to a commercial programme to deliver fuel cell products to the mass market."
Dominic Shorrocks, British Gas's director of new business growth, said that the technology had "the potential to dramatically reduce household energy bills and cut carbon dioxide emissions" in UK households.
It is thought that these so-called micropower products could one day supply over one third of the country's electricity needs.
"Our partnership approach acknowledges our confidence in the future of micropower and the development of Ceres fuel cells, which are uniquely designed to appeal to the demands of a mass market," Mr Shorrocks added.
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