British Gas to Give GBP15 Million of Free Solar Panels to British Schools

LONDON, June 30, 2010 - British Gas today unveiled an unprecedented GBP15 million investment in
solar technology for the nation's schools.

The company will donate and install solar panels - worth between
GBP20,000 and GBP40,000 per school - in up to 750 schools. Each school will
be able to generate its own free, green electricity, cutting as much as 20%
off its annual electricity bill.

The energy produced by the panels is anticipated to create around GBP1.3m
per year for the next 25 years. This will be reinvested in installing solar
panels on yet more schools. This means that, in the next five years alone,
British Gas could install free solar panels on a total of 1,100 schools.

The panels will also help the selected schools to meet their carbon
reduction targets, reducing emissions by up to 1,400 tonnes per year,
equivalent to taking almost 400 cars off the road.

The schools receiving solar panels will receive a British Gas smart
meter, offering real time information so pupils can see the difference their
solar panels are making. Specially created Generation Green lesson plans will
help teachers engage their pupils in learning about renewable energy, and
schools will be able to track their performance against others and share tips
and advice via a specially designed website.

All schools in the UK can register for an application form at
www.generationgreen.co.uk/. British Gas has already earmarked half of
the total investment to ensure that schools in low income areas benefit from
the initiative, and intends to deliver the technology to these schools in
conjunction with the Government's Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP).

Phil Bentley, Managing Director, British Gas, said:

"This is the biggest investment of its kind in solar technology for our
nation's schools, which will help them cut both their carbon emissions and
their electricity bills - as well as learn about renewable energy in a
hands-on way.

"The electricity generated by these schools will help pay for the scheme
to be extended to even more schools throughout the country, which is great
news for school leaders, parents and pupils who are all looking for ways to
save money during these tough economic times."

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said:

"This is a very generous offer and I'm sure many schools will feel they
can benefit from solar panels. Cutting down on energy costs and reducing
carbon emissions are absolutely the right thing to do. It's a valuable lesson
for pupils that we can all help to use energy sparingly, and where possible,
generate it from sustainable or renewable resources."

Based on a formula created by the University of Bath's Centre for
Research in Education and the Environment to measure the impact that teachers
can have beyond the classroom, up to 1.8 million parents and family members
could learn about renewable energy as a result of the initiative.

British Gas are the country's leading energy supplier; (
www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/energy.html) offering cheap
electricity (
www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/energy/electricity.html)
and energy saving (
www.britishgas.co.uk/energy-efficiency/top-energy-saving-tips.html)
schemes for all.

    Notes to Editors

    - Equivalent number of cars based on a mid-sized 30 mpg car
      creating about 3.55 tonnes of CO2 per year.

    - The energy produced by the panels will create GBP1.3m per year
      for the next 25 years through the Government's Clean Energy Cashback
      scheme. This will be reinvested by the British Gas Energy For Tomorrow
      Trust, a 'not for profit' trust fund established by British Gas to
      Invest in low carbon projects in the UK, which could allow more schools
      to benefit every year over the same period.

    - About British Gas: British Gas, part of the Centrica group of
      companies, has one of the lowest carbon intensity of any of the major
      UK energy suppliers in terms of tonnes of COsquared emitted per
      megawatt hour of electricity supplied to customers. It was cited as
      Britain's greenest energy supplier in a survey by WWF (UK Power Giants:
      Generating Climate Change 2007, 28th Sept 2007). Centrica is one of the
      biggest investors in renewable power generation, principally offshore
      wind. Its Lynn and Inner Dowsing development, which was completed last
      year, is one of the world's largest offshore wind developments.

    - About Generation Green: Generation Green is British Gas'
      nationwide schools programme designed to empower teachers, schools and
      their local communities to tackle climate change through greener
      behaviour. It has already attracted more than 10,000 schools to sign up
      and get involved since its launch in April 2008. The programme rewards
      schools for green actions with 'Green Leaves' which are collected by
      schools and redeemed against useful prizes ranging from solar water
      heating kits and energy efficient light bulbs to green energy trackers.
      Consumers can participate in Generation Green by donating the leaves
      they collect to a school of their choice, and they can receive Leaves
      simply by switching to paperless British Gas billing or completing an
      energy saver's report online. More information about Generation Green
      can be found online at www.generationgreen.co.uk/

    - The number of parents and family members that could be reached
      uses the University of Bath's Centre for Research in Education and the
      Environment formula and 2009 DCSF school and teacher statistics. It
      assumes a 50/50 split between primary and secondary schools. Further
      information available on request.

    Media contacts:

    - Matt Beasley or Elliott Grady in the British Gas press office:
    +44(0)800-107-7015
    - Blue Rubicon on behalf of British Gas: +44(0)207-260-2700

Matt Beasley or Elliott Grady in the British Gas press office: +44(0)800-107-7015; Blue Rubicon on behalf of British Gas: +44(0)207-260-2700