Elia Group and Alstom Grid sign cooperation agreement

Combination of strengths and know-how
Joint development strategy on multiple topics, including renewable energy and smart grids
Joint contribution to energy and climate objectives

 Elia Group and Alstom Grid signed in Brussels a three year cooperation agreement setting out the general framework for long-term joint development strategy including Smart Grid initiatives, renewable energy integration, and international R&D. The agreement, which will remain in place until 2015, is in line with the international development strategy of both Elia and Alstom Grid. It is expected that the joint initiatives under this agreement will bring a major contribution to the European and global energy and climate objectives.

This agreement will combine both companies strengths and expertise in key development areas for tomorrow's electricity industry, including:

Integration of Renewable energy through Innovative solutions to balance supply load and electricity demand, incorporating factors such as intermittent renewable energy, C02 emissions and demand response.

Smart transmission: involves innovative R&D on grid security and the stability of electricity transmission.
Under the agreement, the two major energy players will work to address the challenges currently facing the electricity industry, through collaborative R&D, services and consultancy internationally. In its capacity as Belgian transmission system operator and co-owner (60%) of German transmission system operator
50Hertz Transmission, Elia aims to become a global benchmark among TSOs particularly in integrating renewable energies into the grid.

In December 2010, the parties will set up an organisational structure with an Executive Coordination Committee and a Joint Task Force that will begin to work on different joint initiatives that will be executed under this agreement beginning January  2011.

About Alstom
Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world. It provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 96,500 people in more than 70 countries, and had sales of over 23 billion* in 2009/10. (*Pro
forma figures) Alstom Grid, the newest sector of Alstom, has over 100 years of expertise in electrical grids.
Whether for utilities or electro-intensive industries or facilitating the trading of energy, Alstom Grid brings power to their customers projects. Alstom Grid ranks among the top 3 in electrical transmission sector with a sales turnover of approximately 3.5 billion in 2009. It has 20,000 employees and over 90 manufacturing and engineering sites worldwide. Its four main business areas are Products, Systems, Automation and Service. At the heart of the development of Smart Grid, Alstom Grid offers products, services and integrated energy management solutions across the full energy value chainfrom power generation, through transmission and distribution grids and to the large end user.

About Elia
Elia is the Belgian transmission system operator, transmitting electricity efficiently, reliably and securely from producers to distribution system operators and major industrial users. Elia is responsible for importing and exporting electricity from and to neighbouring countries. Elia owns the entire Belgian very high voltage grid (150 to 380 kV) and some 94% (ownership and user rights) of the Belgian high-voltage grid (30 to 70 kV). The Elia grid comprises 5,614 km of overhead lines and 2,765 km of underground connections and is a key link between electricity markets in northern and southern Europe. It also links Belgian producers and
consumers. Belgium's recent investment in interconnection capacity with its neighbours makes it one of the most open and interconnected grids in Europe. Elia has recently expanded its activities on a broader European level and, following its acquisition of German TSO 50Hertz and in cooperation with Industry Funds Management (IFM), is now one of the top five transmission system operators in Europe.

Alstom Grid
Press Contacts

James Millard (Alstom Grid) Tel : +33 1 34 96 92 54
james.millard@areva-td.com

Investors Relations:

Emmanuelle Châtelain, Juliette Langlais (Alstom Investor Relations)
Tél : + 33 1 41 49 37 38 / 21 36
emmanuelle.chatelain@chq.alstom.com, juliette.langlais@chq.alstom.com
Website: www.alstom.com / www.grid.alstom.com

Elia
Media Relations:

Eva Suls - Tel : +32 2 546 73 78 / +32 477 48 80 09
eva.suls@elia.be

Lise Mulpas Tel : +32 2 546 73 75 / +32 478 65 28 90
lise.mulpas@elia.be

Investor relations:

Bert Maes Tel : +32 2 546 72 39 / +32 472 40 69 97
bert.maes@elia.be
Website: www.elia.be

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