BP Breaks Ground on Wind Project in Kansas

MEDICINE LODGE, Kan., June 24, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- WR | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- BP Alternative Energy today welcomed members of the local community at a groundbreaking ceremony for phase one of the Flat Ridge Wind Farm in Kansas. Phase one of the project will have a capacity of generating 100 megawatts (MW) of carbon-free electricity and is expected to be commercially operational by year end.

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Located some 60 miles southwest of Wichita, Flat Ridge I will utilize 40 Clipper 2.5 MW C-96 wind turbine generators, the largest wind turbines built by a U.S. manufacturer. Construction on the 5,000 acre site will employ approximately 125 workers during the construction period and a full-time staff of more than five workers who will monitor and maintain the site after phase one has become operational.

Bob Malone, chairman and president of BP America said: "Kansas has a long tradition of providing energy to America, and BP is proud to have been a part of that tradition for over 50 years. We look forward to building on that history with this wind power project, part of BP's growing portfolio of carbon-free energy projects here in the United States."

"Barber County is blessed with an abundance of wind that is ideal for generating clean, renewable energy," said Bill Moore, Westar Energy president and chief executive officer. "The energy produced at Flat Ridge will benefit our customers, Kansas and the region. We're building strong partnerships with counties and developers to better our energy future, and we look forward to being a good neighbor to the folks in Barber County."

When in full operation, Westar Energy, Inc. will own 50 percent of phase one of the wind farm and will purchase from BP 50 MW of the physical power generated under a long-term power purchase agreement. BP will operate the full 100 MW. The Flat Ridge development is expected to be built in multiple phases.

By the end of 2008, BP Alternative Energy North America Inc. expects to generate over 1,000 MW of zero-carbon electricity from its wind projects.

About BP America/BP Alternative Energy

BP America (NYSE: BP | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) is the largest producer of oil and gas in the United States and one of the nation's largest energy investors. BP Alternative Energy, launched in November 2005, combines all of BP's interests in low and zero-carbon power generation: wind, solar, hydrogen power with carbon capture and storage, natural gas-fired power generation. Biofuels for low carbon transport and distributed energy for emerging markets. BP Alternative Energy is one of the leading wind developers in the U.S. and has portfolios in Europe, Asia and Latin America. BP's U.S. wind portfolio includes the opportunity to develop almost 100 projects with a potential total generating capacity of 15,000 MW. For more information on BP Alternative Energy visit: www.bpalternativenergy.com

About Westar Energy, Inc.

Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) is the largest utility in Kansas providing electric service to about 675,000 customers in the state. Westar Energy has about 6,200 megawatts of electric generation capacity and operates and coordinates approximately 33,000 miles of electric distribution and transmission lines.

For more information about Westar Energy, visit us at: www.WestarEnergy.com

SOURCE BP America

http://www.bp.com

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