Vast, a world-leader in concentrated solar thermal power, announces partnership with CYD to model molten salt tank performance as VS1 project moves forward

Vast and CYD develop innovative Avatar Model to simulate and optimise molten salt tank operation in first utility-scale project deploying Vast’s world-leading clean energy technology

Vast Solar Pty Ltd (“Vast” or the “Company”), a world-leader in concentrated solar thermal power (CSP), today announced a partnership with global design and manufacturing firm Contratos y Diseños Industriales (CYD) as the Company advances VS1, its 30MW/ 288MWh CSP project in Port Augusta, South Australia.

Utilising Vast’s proprietary, modular tower CSP v3.0 technology, VS1 is designed to generate clean, low-cost, dispatchable power with over 8 hours of thermal energy storage. The project is projected to create dozens of green manufacturing jobs, as well as hundreds of jobs during construction and long-term plant operations roles. VS1 will be Vast’s first utility-scale project, and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has approved up to AUD$65 million in funding for the project.

Vast has a strong track record in pioneering new tank designs and is a co-developer with CYD of Flexitank, which is the subject of a pending patent application. CYD is working with Vast on early design work on VS1 and is using a first-of-its-kind Avatar Model to simulate the construction and operation of the thermal energy storage tanks that contain molten salt at high temperatures. This is a step forward for the CSP industry, with the potential to enhance the performance of molten salt storage tanks once operational.

The Avatar Model concept, developed by the CYD team, utilises a virtual model (referred to as a dynamic digital twin) that aims to create the exact dimensions of VS1’s thermal energy storage system, and allows for testing and simulation under different conditions. This helps to identify and mitigate any problems, while optimising design and performance of the tanks before they are manufactured and installed.

Craig Wood, CEO of Vast, said:

“We are delighted to be working with CYD and to have their extensive global experience in CSP supporting VS1. The Avatar Model’s holistic approach to the design, manufacture, construction and operation of molten salt tanks will further strengthen VS1. This innovative approach to building CSP projects is a big step forward for Vast and the whole industry.”

Sergio Dávila from CYD said:

“Our collaboration with Vast is breaking new ground in the CSP industry. The Avatar Model has been developed using the extensive experience in the design and construction of molten salt tank technology amongst the Vast and CYD teams, supported by other leading companies and institutions. It provides an opportunity to implement learnings at an early-stage to ensure the optimal performance of thermal energy storage systems.”

About Vast

Vast is a renewable energy company that designs, builds and operates CSP systems to generate, store and dispatch carbon free, utility-scale electricity, industrial heat, and to enable the production of green fuels. Vast’s CSP v3.0 approach to CSP utilizes a proprietary, modular sodium loop to efficiently capture and convert solar heat into these end products.

On February 14, 2023, Vast announced a business combination agreement with Nabors Energy Transition Corp. (NYSE: NETC). The combined entity would be named Vast and its securities are expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “VSTE” while remaining headquartered in Australia.

Visit www.vast.energy for more information.

About Nabors Energy Transition Corp.

Nabors Energy Transition Corp. (NYSE: NETC, NETC.WS, NETC.U) is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. NETC was formed to identify solutions, opportunities, companies or technologies that focus on advancing the energy transition; specifically, ones that facilitate, improve or complement the reduction of carbon or greenhouse gas emissions while satisfying growing energy consumption across markets globally.

NETC is an affiliate of Nabors Industries Ltd. (Nabors), a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors, which owns the global industry’s largest fleet of land drilling rigs and equipment, is committed to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a lower-carbon world.

About CYD

CONTRATOS Y DISEÑOS INDUSTRIALES, S.A. (CYD) is an Spanish Engineering and Construction company founded in 1989 in BARCELONA, SPAIN to provide specialized services for industrial projects in different industries (power, renewables, chemicals, pharma). Molten Salt Tanks (MST) are an important part of CYD’s business. Participating in the biggest and most important CSP projects around the World. CYD works in a continuing improvement of our designs based in the experience and lessons learned in the world, CYD is collaborating with this technology looking for the best solutions for CSP and thermal Storage where we are specialists.

Important Information about the Business Combination and Where to Find It

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or constitute a solicitation of any vote or approval.

In connection with the proposed business combination (the Business Combination) between Vast and Nabors Energy Transition Corp. (NETC), Vast has filed a Registration Statement on Form F-4 (the Registration Statement) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), which includes (i) a preliminary prospectus of Vast relating to the offer of securities to be issued in connection with the proposed Business Combination and (ii) a preliminary proxy statement of NETC to be distributed to holders of NETC’s capital stock in connection with NETC’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by NETC’s stockholders with respect to the proposed Business Combination and other matters described in the Registration Statement. NETC and Vast also plan to file other documents with the SEC regarding the proposed Business Combination. After the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, a definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to the stockholders of NETC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF NETC AND VAST ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS CONTAINED THEREIN (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION.

Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents containing important information about NETC and Vast once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by NETC may be obtained free of charge from NETC’s website at www.nabors-etcorp.com or by written request to NETC at 515 West Greens Road, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77067.

Participants in the Solicitation

NETC, Nabors, Vast and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of NETC in connection with the proposed Business Combination. Information about the directors and executive officers of NETC is set forth in the Registration Statement Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the Registration Statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph.

Forward Looking Statements

The information included herein and in any oral statements made in connection herewith include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included herein, regarding the proposed Business Combination, NETC’s and Vast’s ability to consummate the proposed Business Combination, the benefits of the proposed Business Combination and NETC’s and Vast’s future financial performance following the proposed Business Combination, as well as NETC’s and Vast’s strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used herein, including any oral statements made in connection herewith, the words “could,” “should,” “will,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on NETC and Vast management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, NETC and Vast disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. NETC and Vast caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of NETC and Vast. These risks include, but are not limited to, general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the inability to complete the Business Combination or the convertible debt and equity financings contemplated in connection with the proposed Business Combination (the “Financing”) in a timely manner or at all (including due to the failure to receive required stockholder or shareholder, as applicable, approvals, or the failure of other closing conditions such as the satisfaction of the minimum trust account amount following redemptions by NETC’s public stockholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals), which may adversely affect the price of NETC’s securities; the inability of the Business Combination to be completed by NETC’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by NETC; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination or the Financing; the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Business Combination; the inability to obtain or maintain the listing of Vast’s shares on a national exchange following the consummation of the proposed Business Combination; costs related to the proposed Business Combination; the risk that the proposed Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of Vast, business relationships of Vast or Vast’s business generally as a result of the announcement and consummation of the proposed Business Combination; Vast’s ability to manage growth; Vast’s ability to execute its business plan, including the completion of the Port Augusta project, at all or in a timely manner and meet its projections; potential disruption in Vast’s employee retention as a result of the proposed Business Combination; potential litigation, governmental or regulatory proceedings, investigations or inquiries involving Vast or NETC, including in relation to the proposed Business Combination; changes in applicable laws or regulations and general economic and market conditions impacting demand for Vast’s products and services. Additional risks are set forth in the section titled "Risk Factors" in the Registration Statement and other documents filed, or to be filed, by NETC and Vast with the SEC. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described herein and in any oral statements made in connection therewith occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

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