The Cleantech Group(TM), LLC, founders of the cleantech investment category, announced today that more than 400 investors, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and policymakers from the rapidly developing cleantech investment marketplace will convene in Brussels, Belgium from 28-30 April 2008 for Cleantech Forum(R) XVII, Europe's leading global investment forum.

Cleantech Group will also honor the winners of its annual Cleantech Awards, commending exceptional leadership and actions toward accelerating cleantech adoption around the world. Germany's Herman Scheer, General Chairman of the World Council for Renewable Energy and President of Eurosolar will receive the Cleantech Pioneer Award.

Stephen Murphy, Group Chief Executive of Virgin and Director of Virgin Group Holdings Ltd. will be on hand to accept the Cleantech EU Corporation of the Year Award on behalf of Virgin Group.

"At Virgin we are committed to building a sustainable and responsible group for the 21st Century. We believe that it is imperative to build sustainable businesses to help mitigate the impact of climate change on our planet," said Mr. Murphy. "At a group level, we constantly look for new ideas to foster and invest in. Last year we launched the Earth Challenge to encourage research into combating the build-up of Carbon Dioxide and we established the Virgin Green Fund to invest in a range of cleantech businesses. Our airlines are focused on the development of alternative fuels and we will continue to promote research in this and other fields. We are also working hard on embedding sustainable practices in all our companies. We are extremely grateful for the recognition of this award and we hope that this will encourage other companies to accelerate their plans on sustainability."

At Cleantech Forum XVII, the Cleantech Group will unveil its breaking report on the European Cleantech Industry, reflections on the 997 million Euros invested in European cleantech companies over 2007 and drive a roadmap for 2008 opportunities. A series of high-level keynotes, panel discussions and exhibits focused on Europe and the Clean Industrial Revolution will include respected keynote speakers and panelists such as:

• World Business Council for Sustainable Development, President, Bjorn Stigson
• Vattenfall, AB, Head of Climate Policy, Anre Morgren
• World Council for Renewable Energy, General Chairman, Hermann Scheer
• Siemens Water, Director of Corporate Technology, Klaus Andre

Additional areas of investment focus include:

• Financing Cleantech Companies: EU Public Markets. Speakers from London Stock Exchange, SWX and NYSE Euronext
• The Future of Road Transport. Speakers from General Electric, Volvo, Citroen and Porsche
• Innovation in Industrial Water Treatment: Speakers from Suez, Siemens Water, Spain's Ministry of Environment, European Commission and Fraunhofer Institute
• Developing Renewable Energy Innovation in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: Speakers from Abu Dhabi, Sustainability Excellence Arabia, Zouk Ventures

Making its European debut is Tesla Motors' Roadster, the world's first production high performance electric sports car. The Silicon Valley start-up turned major automaker, will unveil their Tesla Roadster during the forum. This will mark the first time Tesla has displayed the Roadster in Europe.

"Europe helped lead the clean industrial revolution, providing a roadmap for increasing innovation, investment generation and policy reform worldwide," said Nicholas Parker, co-founder and Chairman, Cleantech Group. "Cleantech Forum XVII, Europe's leading global investment platform, is bringing industry influencers from all over the world to the epicenter of the European Union to discuss the changing landscape of this global industry."

About Cleantech Group(TM), LLC

The Cleantech Group, LLC provides insight, opportunities and builds relationships that catalyze and accelerate market adoption and commercialization of clean technologies globally. The Cleantech Group founded the cleantech investment category and through its membership services brings together investors, executives, thought leaders, policy makers, and entrepreneurs to facilitate the growth of cleantech globally. Visit http://www.cleantech.com.

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