MUNICH and BARCELONA, September 13, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 (http://www.dii-eumena.com/conference).

About Dii (http://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
    http://www.dii-eumena.com