DII joint venture is established: CEO appointed

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Through a joint venture initiative between twelve companies and the Desertec Foundation, solar photovoltaics and sustainability will be promoted in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The joint venture group signed the articles of association for the Desertec Industrial Initiative (DII) on October 30 in Munich.

The work of the DII will involve a thorough analysis and the establishment of a framework for investments to supply the MENA region and Europe with power produced using solar and also wind energy sources. The long-term goal is to satisfy a substantial part of the energy needs of the MENA countries meeting a potential 15% of Europe’s electricity demand by 2050.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

In related news, the DII shareholder meeting held at the same time as the signing, appointed Paul van Son as CEO of the DII. van Son has held various management posts in the European energy industry, including managing director of Deutsche Essent and Econcern. van Son is also chairman of the European Federation of Energy Traders (EFET) and chairman of the Energy4All Foundation in Africa. 

“The DII will primarily focus on the economic, technical and regulatory conditions that must be fulfilled for successful project implementation. Early reference projects will allow us to learn for further rollout plans by the DII and other parties,” said van Son. 

All DII signatories have agreed on the need for efficient climate protection measures, in support of this, Torsten Jeworrek, member of the board of Munich Re on behalf of the DII founding members said, “The question is not whether we should do something, but how we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere and how this goal can be achieved in an intelligent manner, which results in a win-win situation for both the environment and the economy. With regard to the important UN climate summit in Copenhagen, this private sector initiative demonstrates how business potentials can be aligned with sustainability goals.” 

Shareholders of the DII include ABB, Abengoa Solar, Cevital, Desertec Foundation, Deutsche Bank, E.ON, HSH Nordbank, MAN Solar Millennium, Munich Re, M+W Zander, RWE, Schott Solar and Siemens. DII headquarters will be located in Munich. 

Read Next

June 2, 2025
Arctech has partnered with ACME Cleantech Solutions to provide 175MW worth of solar trackers for an upcoming facility in Duqm, Oman.
June 2, 2025
A new manufacturing method has produced tandem perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells with a conversion efficiency of 27.8%.
June 2, 2025
National Grid Renewables has rebranded to Geronimo Power following its acquisition by Canadian asset manager Brookfield.
Premium
June 2, 2025
Struggling Swiss solar manufacturer Meyer Burger has announced that its two German subsidiaries, including the owner of its solar cell manufacturing facility in Thalheim, are insolvent.
June 2, 2025
The LECO process used in the production of TOPCon solar cells could increase their resistances by 'orders of magnitude', per new research.
June 2, 2025
The US Department of Energy has downsized a loan to US residential solar installer Sunnova from an initial US$3 billion to US$371.6 million.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 17, 2025
Napa, USA
Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 8, 2025
Asia