Origin And Micron Establish Joint Venture To Develop Photovoltaic Technology

ASX/Media Release
15 January 2010

Origin and Micron Establish Joint Venture to Develop Photovoltaic Technology

Origin Energy Limited ("Origin"), Australia's leading integrated energy company and Micron Technology, Inc. have formed a 50:50 joint venture with a focus on the development of photovoltaic technology.

Micron is a US listed company and one of the world's leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions.

Micron's President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr Mark Durcan said, "As we have looked to leverage our core strengths in other markets, photovoltaic energy technology is a natural area of investigation. Origin is a company with a significant interest and history in renewable energy technologies. Combining our semiconductor manufacturing expertise with Origin's solar experience could result in a strong partnership."

Origin's Executive General Manager, Major Development Projects, Mr Andrew Stock,
said, "We are pleased to joint venture with Micron as a global semiconductor leader to further explore the potential of solar photovoltaic technology.

"The near term objective of the joint venture is to combine the work Origin has done to date in solar development with Micron's capabilities and to examine opportunities for commercialisation," Mr Stock added.

For further information please contact:

Origin - Media
Tim Scott
Group Manager, Media Relations and Reporting
Ph: +61 2 8345 5306
Mobile: +61 428 964 820

Origin - Investors
Angus Guthrie
Group Manager Investor Relations
Ph: +61 2 8345 5558
Mobile: +61 417 864 255

Micron - Media
Daniel Francisco
Media Relations
Ph: +1 (208) 368-5584
[email protected]


About Origin Energy
Origin Energy is Australasia's leading integrated energy company focused on gas and oil exploration and production, power generation and energy retailing.

Listed in the ASX top 20 the company has approximately 4,000 employees, is a leading producer of gas in eastern Australia, is the largest owner and developer of gas-fired electricity generation in Australia and is a leading wholesaler and retailer of energy. The company services more than 3.5 million electricity, natural gas and LPG customers across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Origin's strategic positioning and portfolio of assets provide flexibility, stability and significant opportunities for growth in the ever changing energy industry. Through Australia Pacific LNG, its 50:50 incorporated joint venture with ConocoPhillips, Origin is developing one of Australia's largest CSG to LNG projects based on Australia's largest CSG reserves base.

In New Zealand, Origin is the major shareholder in Contact Energy, the country's leading integrated energy company, operating geothermal, thermal and hydro generation facilities and servicing electricity, gas and LPG customers across both the North and South islands. Origin also operates several oil and gas projects in New Zealand and is one of the largest holders of petroleum exploration acreage in the country.

Origin has a strong focus on ensuring the sustainability of its operations, is the largest green energy retailer in Australia and has significant investments in renewable energy technologies.

For more information go to www.originenergy.com.au

About Micron
Micron Technology, Inc., is one of the world's leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. Through its worldwide operations, Micron manufactures and markets DRAM, NAND flash memory, CMOS image sensors, other semiconductor components, and memory modules for use in leading-edge computing, consumer, networking, and mobile products. Micron's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the MU symbol. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc., visit
www.micron.com.



SOURCE: Origin