And it's planning to open another one by year-end or in 2005

By SAMUEL EE

BP is planning a second hydrogen refuelling station here after officially launching its first one yesterday.
Technology test-bed: the hydrogen facility at Upper East Coast Road is the first in the world to be located in an existing petrol station

The hydrogen facility at Upper East Coast Road is the first in the world to be located in an existing petrol station, one of 30 BP sites which will be handed over to SPC by the year-end.

Michael Jones, BP general manager for hydrogen, gas power and renewables, said the dispenser has sufficient hydrogen to refuel up to 35 cars.

'Projects such as this help industry and government to develop the appropriate national and international standards and codes that will enable us to offer hydrogen at service stations, without excessive development and operational costs,' said Dr Jones in a speech during the launch.

Earlier in the day, a Mercedes-Benz fuel cell car which runs on hydrogen was handed over by carmaker DaimlerChrysler to the National Environment Agency.

The left-hand-drive A-Class is the first fuel cell car in South-east Asia.

Only two such vehicles are currently available here, with the other being operated by DaimlerChrysler.

Minister for the Environment Lim Swee Say told reporters that commercialisation of hydrogen fuel for such vehicles may be years away, but it is important to be familiar with the technology.

He said volume production could be seven to 10 years away, but this was a secondary issue.

Whether the vehicle could work in a tropical environment was the primary problem, Mr Lim said.

'Singapore welcomes the test bedding of new technologies and business models because innovation enables us to overcome old limitations and open up new frontiers,' he added.

BP president Wu Shen Kong said that his company has positioned itself as a knowledge hub in the Asia-Pacific region, with its Singapore office driving and supporting the regional business.

'We are now one of the top five companies here in terms of revenue, with an annual turnover of about US$7 billion,' said Dr Wu.

He said BP is trying to set up the second hydrogen refuelling station by the year-end or early 2005.

'We're working with a number of people, so it may not be with SPC,' he said.

Earlier this month, SPC said it would pay US$70 million for BP's 30 Singapore stations and its liquefied petroleum gas business.

The sale is expected to be concluded by the end of 2004.

But BP's Dr Jones said BP is committed to operating the hydrogen refuelling facility after the acquisition and is in talks with SPC.

Dr Wu also said the second facility may not be located in a petrol station. BP's nine other hydrogen refuelling stations in Europe, the US and Australia are stand-alones.

'That is another decision we need to take, whether it will be in a petrol station or as a stand-alone facility,' Dr Wu said.