Terni, 24 March 2009 – TerniEnergia, company active in the field of renewable energy, among the main integrator systems in Italy in the photovoltaic sector and listed on the Expandi Market of the Italian Stock Exchange and NextEnergy Capital, European merchant bank specialized in the sector of renewable energy, have signed an agreement for the manufacture of photovoltaic plants in Italy in the 2009-2010 period, for a total capacity of 15 MW. The agreement foresees a total investment of over 70 million Euro.

TerniEnergia, counting especially on its consolidated experience as system integrator, will deal with all the construction stages of the plants: from the purchase and development of the sites, to the building and network connection, supplying “turnkey” plants.

By constantly developing its projects, NextEnergy Capital aims at investment opportunities concerning all the variety of technologies (mainly solar, wind, biomass, hydro and geothermal) and has an increasing number of transactions under negotiation in the solar sector,  particularly active in Italy. The Company will provide opportunities and play an advisory role for projects in the initial stage and for plants under construction all over Europe to invest directly or in its own investment funds and platforms.

“Our country is increasingly attracting funds addressed to investments in the solar energy production sector. The agreement with NextEnergy Capital represents a concrete demonstration of how our Company is ready to take advantage of this opportunity”, said Stefano Neri, President of TerniEnergia. “In line with our objective of increasing photovoltaic energy production over the following years, we have found a qualified partner in NextEnergy Capital for developing our projects”, concluded Mr Neri.

Michael F.H. Bonte-Friedheim, co-founder of NextEnergy Capital has underlined that “The partnership with TerniEnergia is a further step in  expanding our presence in the Mediterranean basin, in particular to strengthen our leadership in the Italian solar sector, currently one of the most attractive markets for photovoltaic energy”.

"We have had the opportunity of appreciating the experience and quality of the TerniEnergia projects during the joint evaluation of some initiatives in northern Italy” explains Stefano D.M. Sommadossi, the other co-founder of NextEnergy Capital. “It has become second nature to jointly develop this relationship, creating a new investment platform. Forming partnerships with some of the best Italian operators in the sector we take advantage of a more rapid market development and faster plant manufacture. It is a cooperative approach that thanks to our partners’ capacities coupled with ours, renders the investment in our funds more rapid and less risky”.