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Mar 15, 2010 – Siemens Energy and the Norwegian utility Statkraft have signed an agreement to build solar plants in Italy.  With a total capacity of 40 megawatts (MW), this is the largest PV framework agreement Siemens has negotiated in Europe.  Siemens will perform the engineering, project management, and turnkey construction of the photovoltaic plants.  The exclusive framework agreement includes Statkraft´s project pipeline for photovoltaic plants in Italy.  Construction of the first solar plant is expected to begin in spring 2010.  After grid connection, the solar plants will supply ecofriendly power to approximately 14,000 Italian households.

“After successful execution of the Casale project for Statkraft, we are continuing our cooperation with the implementation of further solar energy projects in Italy,” said René Umlauft, CEO of the Renewable Energy Division of Siemens Energy.  “Siemens has the know-how to handle the development and implementation of large-capacity solar plants for industrial and energy customers.”  Siemens has successfully completed construction of the photovoltaic plant in Casale for Statkraft. It has a peak output of 3.3 MW and has been feeding ecofriendly energy into the grid since December 2009.

For the projects under the framework agreement with Statkraft, Siemens will act as EPCM contractor and provide engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance. The scope of supply will contain support structures, connection boxes, cabling, photovoltaic modules, inverters and medium-voltage equipment. Siemens will also be responsible for operation and maintenance for the first five years. Siemens offer a performance ratio contracting model for photovoltaic plants to ensure plant efficiency over lifetime.

“Siemens Energy is a highly competent partner, securing our ability to build several solar parks in parallel and reach the target of commissioning new solar parks before the end of 2010,” said Olav Hetland, senior vice president solar power in Statkraft. “The time schedule is of great importance, due to the uncertainty regarding future support schemes for solar power.”

Photovoltaic plants are part of Siemens’ Environmental Portfolio. In fiscal 2009, revenue from the Portfolio totaled about EUR23 billion, making Siemens the world’s largest supplier of ecofriendly technologies.  In the same period, the company’s products and solutions enabled customers to reduce their CO2 emissions by 210 million tons.  This amount equals the combined annual CO2 emissions of New York, Tokyo, London and Berlin.