December 2006

ESB Independent Energy and Renewable Energy Systems Group Sign a 25 million sterling contract for renewable energy

ESB Independent Energy (ESBIE) has signed a 15-year deal with Renewable Energy Systems (RES) to purchase the output of the 7.8MW Lough Hill Wind Farm at Lough Hill Co Tyrone.

The new 7.8MW wind farm which is due to start production in July 2007, will enable ESBIE to increase its renewable offering in Northern Ireland and assist with its compliance with the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation.  The contract will deliver enough power to supply the electricity needs of around 6,000 households each year and will save about 20,000 tonnes/CO2 each year.

The contract, which is for 15 years, is worth over £25m and further adds to ESBIE’s portfolio of electricity supply offering to its customers. With the ever increasing demand for renewable energy, this contract further demonstrates ESBIE’s commitment to providing sustainable energy solutions in the deregulated market.

Commenting on the contract announcement, Colm de Burca, Business Development Manager at ESBIE said "This renewable energy contract with Lough Hill wind-farm will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as enabling us to supply renewable energy to our growing customer base. There is a lot of customer interest in purchasing renewable energy and we are delighted that from 2007 onwards we will be able to increase our supply of renewable energy to customers in Northern Ireland."

RES Group is one of the world ’s leading wind energy companies.  Their work to develop, build and run wind farms is contributing to national renewable energy targets and to a sustainable future for us all.

For more information about RES Group, visit www.res-group.com

For further information please contact:

For further information please contact:

John Conlon
ESB Independent Energy
Tel: 01 8867343
Mobile: 0871246779