Siemens will perform the engineering, project management and turnkey construction of the PV plants. Construction of the first solar plant is expected to begin in spring 2010. After grid connection, scheduled for late that year, the solar plants will supply power to approximately 14,000 Italian households.

Rene Umlauft, CEO of renewable energy division at Siemens Energy, said: “After successful execution of the Casale project for Statkraft, we are continuing our cooperation with the implementation of further solar energy projects in Italy. Siemens has the know-how to handle the development and implementation of large-capacity solar plants for industrial and energy customers.”

Olav Hetland, senior vice president of solar power at Statkraft, said: “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. The time schedule is of great importance, due to the uncertainty regarding future support schemes for solar power.”

Siemens said that photovoltaic plants are part of its environmental portfolio. In fiscal 2009, revenue from the portfolio totaled about EUR23bn.