While BHP recognises that further work is required to develop policy mechanisms that will drive the development of this technology, our carbon capture and storage (CCS) investments focus on mechanisms that seek to reduce cost and accelerate its development. We established the BHP Billiton SaskPower CCS Knowledge Centre in Canada and we work with Peking University and other partners to develop a road map for the application of CCS in the steel sector.

In April 2017, BHP also established a research collaboration with the University of Melbourne, Cambridge University and Stanford University to support fundamental research into the long-term storage mechanisms of CO2 in sub-surface locations. This important work has the possibility of unlocking significant storage potential, which will be an essential part of effective CCS. The research also seeks to demonstrate the safety and security of sub-surface CO2 storage.

BHP recognises the potential for renewable energy to play a significant role in the resources sector. Furthermore, battery storage solutions at grid scale may transform the way the resources sector accesses electricity.

We are participating in the innovative Lakeland Solar and Storage Project, a 10.8 MWac solar photovoltaic installation with associated grid-scale storage of 5.3-megawatt hours, located at the fringe of the grid in regional Queensland, Australia.

Outcomes of the extensive test program will provide insight for BHP and the resources sector in general, and the results of the project will be shared widely. At the same time, we continue to evaluate the integration of renewable energy sources into our own operations, together with incumbent energy sources to provide the appropriate mix of system reliability, emissions reduction and lowest cost.