This clears the way for the transfer of a 51% interest from Qimonda to the new investor. The continuation of Itarion Solar and the development of the new plant are thus assured. The opening of the first solar cell plant in Portugal is scheduled for the first quarter of 2010.

The new partner is a consortium comprising the Portuguese energy group Energias de Portugal (EDP), the state investment company Inovcapital, the banks Banco Espírito Santo, Banco Comercial Português and Banco Privado Atlântico, as well as the project developer DST Renováveis and the Visabeira Group, which is active in infrastructure industries. The key features of the future partnership between Centrosolar, which holds a 49% interest, and the consortium, which had previously been in negotiations with Qimonda about the remaining 51% interest, were finalised today together with the financing banks.

Centrosolar, which had been involved in the search for a new partner since the start of the year, welcomes the new development. The consortium constitutes a reliable partner that has already established excellent contacts with the Iberian and even African markets. With the new, financially strong partner on board, the investment can now be completed successfully. A technology team with ample experience in semiconductor manufacturing and photovoltaic, recruited in part from the former joint venture partner Qimonda, has already been set up since the start of the year.