PRESS RELEASE

TRACTEBEL ENGINEERING Avenue Ariane 7 - 1200 Brussel s - www.engineering.trac tebel.com

Brussels, 24 October 2006

Tractebel Engineering studies the interconnection of the Saudi and Egyptian power grids

Tractebel Engineering has been selected to perform the technical and economic feasibility study for the interconnection of the power grids of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Republic of . The principals are the grid operators Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC).

The economic evaluation is performed by determining the energy exchanges between the two countries and calculating the reliability gains achieved by improving the combined operation of the two electricity grids when interconnected.

The technical feasibility assessment is based on the analysis of the conditions that will secu re the functional stability of the grids under both normal and critical conditions.

The choice of the most appropriate technology is an important aspect of this study, especially that the two grids are operated at different frequencies (50Hz and 60Hz), c alling for the interconnection to be either by an HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) link or equipped with « Back -to -Back » converter stations.

The electrical interconnection between the two countries will secure them a greater stability and security in their power distribution by limiting the risks of blackouts . It will also make for optimised use of their present and future power generating facilities.

This study was entrusted to Tractebel Engineering following an international call for tenders. The study is to start in November 2006 and is scheduled for completion in 12 months.

Tractebel Engineering was already familiar with the two power systems as a result of its previous interconnection studies in the region. Tractebel Engineering studied the inte rconnection of the power systems of five North African countries – from Egypt to Morocco – extending over more than 4000 km and is currently completing the studies for the interconnection between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

In interconnection studies Tractebe l Engineering applies specific in -house developed software (PRELE, SCANNER) and therefore offers an innovative and efficient approach that takes into account the various constraints of the power systems.

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With about 2,400 employees around the , Tractebel Engineering (SUEZ) is one of Europe’s major engineering companies, and offers state -of -the -art engineering and consulting solutions to power, nuclear, gas, industry and infrastructure customers in the public and private sector.

WorldReginfo - f3c9795e-89f4-4f61-9086-dfa97812323b With Axima, Axima Services, Elyo, Endel, Fabricom GTI, GTI and Ineo, Tractebel Engineering is part of SUEZ Energy Services

As the European leader in multitechnical services, SUEZ Energy Services offers global solutions to its customers in the industry, the infrastructure and the tertiary sectors, from the design, realisation and maintenance of installations to energy and utilities management and long -term multitechnical management. SUEZ Energy Services employs 66,000 peopl e and achieved revenues of ! 10.3 billion in 2005. SUEZ Energy Services is one of the four business lines of the quoted international industrial group SUEZ.

Press contact :

William WACQUIER - +32 2 773 80 27 – [email protected]

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