Re Agreement

6 April, 2005 ROLLS-ROYCE AND SINGAPORE PARTNERS TO INVEST IN FUEL CELLS Rolls-Royce has signed an agreement with a Singaporean consortium of companies to invest together US$100 million in developing a commercially viable power system based on fuel cell technology. Having begun research into fuel cell technology in 1992, Rolls-Royce established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems Ltd (RRFCS), in January 2003 to manage its future research and development activities in this field. By bringing the unique engineering skills of Rolls-Royce to bear, it is intended that RRFCS's work will lead to the production of highly efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly power systems. Under the terms of the agreement, Rolls-Royce and the Singapore consortium, EnerTek Singapore Pte Ltd (EnerTek), will between them invest a further US$100 million in the project and, after allowing for capital already invested and value created by Rolls-Royce, EnerTek will hold a 25 per cent stake in RRFCS. In addition to its financial commitment, the Singapore consortium will bring valuable technology and expertise to the project, particularly in the areas of ceramics, manufacturing automation and core research. One of the consortium investors, Accuron Technologies, is supplying RRFCS with ceramic components through its subsidiary company, Advanced Materials Technologies. EnerTek also comprises two other parties: one is an investment subsidiary of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), EDB Investments Pte Ltd, and the other is Temasek Holdings (Temasek), a Singapore-based investment company. Speaking at a signing ceremony and lunch in Singapore today, Sir John Rose, the Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce, said: "A prudent approach to this exciting but still embryonic venture dictated a need to look for partners who could shorten the odds on success with both funding and relevant technical skills. We have found them here and are delighted to be building further on the strong ties that already exist between our Group and Singapore." Charles Coltman, the Chairman and Chief Executive of RRFCS and formerly the Director of Corporate Development at Rolls-Royce, said: "The commitment of US$100 million in additional funding shows how seriously we and our partners view this opportunity. We anticipate a significant market for the right product. The science of the fuel cell is no secret - but turning it into an affordable and competitive technology will need engineering skills of a high order. We are on track and cautiously optimistic." -2- Present at the event were Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore's Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Teo Ming Kian, Chairman of EDB, Tan Suan Swee, Managing Director (Strategic Development) of Temasek and a designated board member of RRFCS, as well as Tam Hock Chuan, Vice President (Business Development) of Accuron Technologies. Teo Ming Kian, EDB's Chairman, said: "Singapore is proud to be a partner to Rolls-Royce in such a leading edge development. That Rolls-Royce has chosen Singapore is a strong testimony to our attractiveness as a location to develop and commercialise new technology. The venture's success will strengthen Singapore's position as a hub for new energy technologies." Tan Suan Swee from Temasek said: "Temasek sees strong commercial potential in the solid oxide fuel cell being developed by RRFCS. This technology will be able to generate power more efficiently than a conventional gas turbine or reciprocating engine. We find in Rolls-Royce a strong partner with whom to pursue a new business venture in power systems." Loh Chuk Yam, President and CEO of Accuron Technologies said: "We are happy to take part in this venture. We believe our capabilities in ceramic technology will add value to this partnership." --- 000 --- BACKGROUND NOTES FOR EDITORS 1. Fuel cells generate electricity by combining fuel and air in an electrochemical reaction. They were first demonstrated in the 19th century but to date have always been relatively large and expensive to manufacture, depriving them of any real commercial application. 2. Rolls-Royce began researching fuel cell technologies in 1992 and decided to pursue the commercialisation of its expertise in 2002. By utilising its aerospace technology skills, Rolls-Royce has designed an electrical power system that integrates a solid oxide fuel cell with a micro turbine. This power system promises to be significantly more efficient than any conventional gas turbine or reciprocating engine, with far less impact on the environment. The current objective is a stationary power-generation system providing around 1 megawatt of electricity, for market delivery some time before the end of 2008. For more information please visit: http://www.rolls-royce.com/energy/ tech/fuelcell.pdf 3. RRFCS is at present principally located at the main Rolls-Royce facility in Derby, UK, and also has employees in Singapore and the US. It is in the process of preparing a new site for itself in the UK at Loughborough University's business park, Holywell Park. A first automated production line for some component parts is due to begin operation there by mid-year. 4. Rolls-Royce has recently flagged its intention to seek out appropriate partnerships based on Singapore's wide-ranging research into topics with potential industrial applications. Last December it signed a collaborative Master R&D agreement with A*Star, Singapore's government-owned Agency for Science, Technology and Research. The agreement enables Rolls-Royce to collaborate with A*Star research institutes in many research areas, including materials science and manufacturing automation for the fuel cell programme. 5. Rolls-Royce has strong and long-standing business partnerships with Singapore Airlines (SIA), Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE), Silk Air (the regional subsidiary of SIA), SIA Engineering Company, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and ST Aerospace Engines Pte Ltd, an ST Engineering company. Singapore is also the regional headquarters for the company's Commercial Marine and Energy businesses. In all, the company now has over 500 Rolls-Royce and joint venture employees in Singapore. For more information about Rolls-Royce activities in Singapore please visit: http:// www.rolls-royce.com/singapore/activities/energy.htm 6. The Economic Development Board (EDB) is Singapore's lead agency responsible for planning and executing strategies to sustain Singapore's position as a global hub for business and investment. It works closely with local and foreign companies across a diverse range of activities in both manufacturing and services to help them move towards higher value-creating operations in an increasingly knowledge-based and innovation-driven environment. It also encourages companies to use Singapore as a headquarters and total business centre to manage their global or regional functions to service their global or Asia Pacific operations. For more information on how EDB can help in your business and investment, please visit www.sedb.com. 7. Temasek Holdings, established in 1974, is an Asia investment company headquartered in Singapore. Its diversified global portfolio of S$90 billion spans Singapore, Asia and the OECD economies in a range of industries. These include telecommunications and media, financial services, property, transportation and logistics, energy and resources, infrastructure, engineering and technology, as well as pharmaceuticals and biosciences. Singapore-based Temasek-linked companies include well-known listed firms such as Singapore Airlines, SingTel, DBS Bank, SMRT Corporation and Neptune Orient Lines. For more information, please visit: www.temasekholdings.com.sg. 8. Accuron Technologies is a precision engineering and technology group headquartered in Singapore, having core competencies in precision manufacturing, material processing and systems design and integration. It serves the aerospace, electronics and medical equipment industries. For more information please visit www.accurontech.com. 9. Rolls-Royce operates in four global markets: civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy. It is investing in technologies and capabilities that can be exploited in each of these sectors to create a competitive range of products. Annual sales total nearly £6 billion, of which 55% are service revenues. The current order book stands at more than £21 billion. For further information please contact: Martin Brodie Rolls-Royce plc Tel: +44 (0)207 227 9140 email:martin.brodie@Rolls-Royce.com
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