SSE SOLAR INVESTMENT

Scottish & Southern Energy PLC 11 January 2005 SCOTTISH AND SOUTHERN ENERGY PLC INVESTMENT IN SOLARCENTURY Scottish and Southern Energy plc ('SSE') has acquired 7.5% of the share capital in solarcentury, the largest independent solar photovoltaics (PV) company in the UK, for a total cash consideration of £1 million. Solar PV generates electricity directly from light and solarcentury is the leading independent solar energy solutions company in the UK. It works directly with architects, housing developers and engineers and has helped around 400 businesses, local authorities and homes go solar since it was founded in 1999. The two companies have also entered into a collaboration agreement. As a result of this, solarcentury's expertise in solar energy will be brought together with SSE's electrical contracting business in order to market the provision and installation of solar energy solutions to a growing number of customers throughout the UK. They have already combined to provide and install solar PV for a variety of organisations, such as the National Trust and Spitalfields market in London. SSE's investment in solarcentury follows its investment in October 2004 in Renewable Devices Swift Turbines Ltd, the developer of a leading rooftop-mountable wind energy system, and is in line with its commitment to expand the range of energy services and products that it offers to customers. Ian Marchant, Chief Executive of SSE, said: 'SSE already has substantial interests in the generation of electricity from renewable sources such as hydro, wind and biomass. This deal with solarcentury complements both this and the agreement entered into with Renewable Devices last year. It will help us build on our position as the largest green energy company in the UK and is a significant step forward in our plans to expand the range of energy services which we can provide to customers.' Jeremy Leggett, Chief Executive of solarcentury, said: 'This is an excellent step forward for solarcentury and SSE - and for the solar market in the UK. Our goal is to help create a cleaner world and a sustainable future - and this partnership with the UK's largest generator of renewable energy will help us move towards that goal. We are operating in one of the world's fastest growing industries and the new equity capital raised, which also includes additional amounts from private investors, strengthens our balance sheet and enables us to accelerate our new product development programme to maximise returns from numerous attractive, high growth markets.' Enquiries to: Scottish and Southern Energy Alan Young, Director of Corporate Communications 0870 900 0410 Denis Kerby Investor and Media Relations Manager 0870 900 0410 solarcentury Jeremy Leggett, Chief Executive 0207 803 0100 NOTES Solarcentury was advised in this transaction by Envirocapital. SSE's contracting group employs over 3,000 engineers, electricians and pipe fitters throughout the country and operates from more than 40 regional offices throughout the country. It has four main areas of activity: industrial, commercial and domestic mechanical and electrical contracting; electrical and instrumental engineering; street and highway lighting; and specialist contracting for the turnkey design, build and refurbishment of facilities requiring a controlled environment. -ENDS- This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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