Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K. (Chairman: Shigeya Kato, Head Quarter: Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo), its 100% subsidiary Showa Shell Solar K.K., and Saudi Aramco, a Saudi Arabian national oil company, have agreed to explore the possibility of engaging in a small-scale electricity generation business using solar power in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Following basic investigations based on this agreement, pilot plants will be built and operated to test and verify technologies particularly those on connecting to the existing local independent grid (micro grid). Based on the result of the tests and verifications, the Project will proceed to a full-scale commercialisation phase in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has recently announced its determination to diversify its economic basis in which they cited solar energy as one of the core areas of development for the future, and they have chosen Saudi Aramco to pursue this vision. Saudi Aramco has chosen Showa Shell Sekiyu as its best partner in the pursuit of this national interest as they have close business relationship with Showa Shell with 15 % share and as Showa Shell Sekiyu retains top quality technical expertise in CIS technology.

Details of the Project including the scope and the scale will be determined after the investigations. Partners will be selected to form a team to execute the Project efficiently and effectively.

Showa Shell Solar K.K.
Showa Shell Solar K.K. is a 100% subsidiary of Showa Shell Sekiyu. With a long R & D history and high manufacturing technology on the thin film next generation CIS solar power, the company operates two plants in Miyazaki Prefecture which are currently under commercial production of "Solacis".

Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabian Oil Company)
Saudi Aramco, a Saudi Arabian national oil company, supplies oil products to communities and consumers around the world as the biggest producer and exporter of the crude oil, and a leading company of oil refining and natural gas. Beginning in 2004, the Shell Group gradually transferred approximately 15% of its holdings in Showa Shell Sekiyu to Saudi Aramco, and Saudi Aramco now holds approximately 15% of Showa Shell Sekiyu.

Note: CIS solar power is the next generation solar power with Copper, Indium and Selenium as the main components and without the use of silicon. Further cost reduction is expected for its simple manufacturing process and high potentiality for enhancing energy conversion efficiency.