Desertec: Industry Initiative Dii Highlights Political and Economic Challenges for Desert Power at First Annual Conference in Barcelona

MUNICH and BARCELONA, September 13, 2010 - The vision of large-scale renewable energy generation in the deserts of
the Middle East and North Africa will be in the center of discussions at
Dii's first Annual Conference in Barcelona (26th and 27th of October 2010).
The conference will be opened with a keynote speech by EU Energy Commissioner
Gunther Oettinger. The integration of energy markets is seen as a decisive
element for a future energy cooperation in the Mediterranean region. Further
topics of discussion will include power generation in desert regions, grid
requirements and transmission, socio-economic development in MENA and the
important issue of a favorable regulatory framework and specific support
schemes for desert power.

Dii-CEO Paul van Son: "Our first annual conference brings together
diverse parties from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East who are
interested in the Desertec concept and in finding solutions to bridge Europe
and Africa through renewable energy. This is the perfect forum for an
enriching and forward looking dialogue. We will debate political and economic
challenges for large-scale production of electricity from sun and wind in the
deserts and the crucial issue of bringing its costs down to a competitive
level."

Speakers and participants at the Dii Annual Conference will be CEOs and
high-level representatives from throughout Europe and the MENA region. They
will represent the business sector as well as national and international
politics, industry associations and research institutions.

Dii was launched in 2009 is now backed by 17 shareholders and 25
Associated Partners. Together they form a unique and international
initiative, proof of industry's willingness to drive the transition to
renewable energies, set in motion a long-term development, and foster new
business potential.

A detailed conference programme, a list of speakers and information on
how to register can be obtained at the Dii Annual Conference website
(www.dii-eumena.com/conference).

About Dii (www.dii-eumena.com):

Dii is an international initiative which was launched as 'Desertec
Industrial Initiative' in July 2009. On 30 October 2009, Dii was legally
founded under German law as a GmbH (limited liability company). The company
is located in Munich.

Shareholders of Dii:

ABB, Abengoa Solar, Cevital, DESERTEC Foundation, Deutsche Bank, Enel
Green Power, E.ON Flagsol, HSH Nordbank, Munich Re, M+W Group, NAREVA
Holding, Red Electrica de Espana, RWE Saint-Gobain Solar, SCHOTT Solar,
Siemens

Associate Partners of Dii:

3M, AGC, Audi, Bearing Point, Bilfinger Berger, Bosch Rexroth,
Commerzbank, Concentrix Solar Conergy, Evonik Industries, First Solar,
FLABEG, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, IBM, ILF, Italgen, KAEFER Lahmeyer
International, Maurisolaire, Morgan Stanley, NUR ENERGIE, OMV , Schoeller
Renewables TERNA ENERGY, TUV Sud

    Contact:
    Alexander Mohanty
    Dii GmbH
    E-Mail: mohanty@dii-eumena.com
    Phone: +49-89-340-7705-20
    www.dii-eumena.com

Contact: Alexander Mohanty, Dii GmbH, E-Mail: mohanty at dii-eumena.com, Phone: +49-89-340-7705-20