The World's First Osmotic Power Prototype Opens Today

OSLO, Norway, November 24 - Today Statkraft opens the world's first osmotic power prototype. The
official opening will be conducted by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess
Mette-Marit of Norway.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/statkraft/39242/

The prototype generates power by exploiting the energy available when
fresh water and seawater are mixed. Osmotic power is a renewable and
emissions-free energy source that Statkraft has been researching into for 10
years and that will be capable of making a substantial global contribution to
eco-friendly power production.

"This new technology generates electricity simply by mixing water. New
solutions to meet the climate challenges might be closer than we expect,
which makes me confident that the future looks bright," says Statkraft CEO
and President, Bard Mikkelsen.

"I want to congratulate Statkraft with the opening of the osmotic power
prototype. Innovative energy solutions are essential to meet the climate
challenges, and I am pleased that a Norwegian company is a front runner in
developing these technologies," says Terje Riis-Johansen, Norwegian Minister
of Petroleum and Energy.

"We appreciate that a major company like Statkraft invests in new,
renewable solutions. We will work together with Statkraft to secure that the
solutions also are sustainable solutions, says Rasmus Hansson, CEO of WWF
Norway.

The prototype will have a limited production capacity and is intended
primarily for testing and development purposes. The aim is to be capable of
constructing a commercial osmotic power plant within a few years' time.

The global potential of osmotic power is estimated to be 1,600-1,700 TWh
per annum, equivalent to 50 percent of the EU's total power production.
Osmotic power plants can, in principle, be located wherever fresh water runs
into the sea; they produce no noise or polluting emissions and they can be
integrated into existing industrial zones, for example, in the basements of
industrial buildings.

Statkraft has been researching osmotic power since 1997 and has developed
this prototype in cooperation with R&D organisations from many countries. The
project has attracted a lot of international interest, and several foreign
guests are attending the opening.

Statkraft is Europe's largest renewable energy company. The group
develops and generates hydropower, wind power, gas power and district
heating, and is a major player on the European power exchanges. Statkraft
also develops marine energy, osmotic power, solar power and other innovative
energy solutions. In 2008 Statkraft posted gross operating revenues of EUR
3.1 billion. The group employs 3,200 staff in more than 20 countries.

    For more information, contact:

    - Spokesperson Knut Fjerdingstad, mobile +47-901-86-310
    - Head of international information Torbj0rn Steen, mobile +47-911-66-888
    - Communications Advisor Stefan Okstveit, mobile +47-975-78-299

    Notes to editors:
    For more high resolution images:
    www.flickr.com/photos/44290727@N07/sets/
    For more information:
    www.statkraft.com

Video:
multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/statkraft/39242/

For more information, contact: - Spokesperson Knut Fjerdingstad, mobile +47-901-86-310, Head of international information Torbj0rn Steen, mobile +47-911-66-888, Communications Advisor Stefan Okstveit, mobile +47-975-78-299