Ireland's Power Grid to Run ALSTOM's e-terra Software

Business Wire, April 18, 2002

Business Editors

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2002

ALSTOM (NYSE:ALS) has signed a contract with ESB National Grid, Ireland's transmission system operator, to provide a full replacement for its existing Energy Management System (EMS).

The project represents the first ALSTOM EMS to be deployed in Europe that will utilise a full Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 2000 solution.

In addition to managing the transmission system, ESB National Grid is responsible for the operation of Ireland's power market, which is being de-regulated in accordance with European Union liberalisation directives. The new ALSTOM system is designed to facilitate the integration of existing and developing power market requirements.

ESB National Grid's new system will include:

-- A National Control Centre (NCC), which is responsible for all normal
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and EMS functions;

-- an Emergency Control Centre (ECC), which is an exact replica of the NCC and
takes over all SCADA/EMS functions in the event of any serious disruption to
the NCC operation;

-- and a Dispatcher Training Simulator (DTS), which is separate from, but
connected to, the NCC and facilitates dispatcher training activities.

ALSTOM's e-terra(TM) global energy solutions, developed by the Energy Management and Markets Business of ALSTOM's Transmission and Distribution Sector, cover every aspect of business in the deregulated energy marketplace. The new system for ESB National Grid will be based on the core e-terraplatform(TM) set of standard software applications that form the foundation for generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical energy.

Albert Donohoe, ESB National Grid's Project Manager said, "We chose ALSTOM because its technical solution incorporates a comprehensive suite of software on a familiar Windows/Intel architecture, the combination of which will help ensure that our project implementation and on-going maintenance costs are minimised."

Philippe Joubert, President of ALSTOM's Transmission & Distribution Sector, said: "ESB National Grid is making great strides with this important project by using leading platform but proven technology to fulfil the industry's evolving needs." He added: "ALSTOM is committed to bringing proven Energy IT solutions to the European market as deregulation becomes a reality."

ALSTOM is the global specialist in energy and transport infrastructure. The Company serves the energy market through its activities in the fields of power generation, power transmission and distribution, power conversion and the transport market through its activities in rail and marine. ALSTOM has annual sales in excess of 22 billion euros and employs 120,000 people in over 70 countries. The Company is listed on the Paris, London and New York stock exchanges.

ALSTOM Transmission and Distribution Sector, through its Energy Management and Markets Business, is a leading supplier of energy and information technology and solutions. It pioneered the development of product-based, real-time control systems for electric utilities and has marketed its products to the energy industry as well as other industries worldwide for nearly a quarter of a century.

The e-terra(TM) family of products and services are trademarks and/or service marks of ALSTOM ESCA Corporation (DBA: ALSTOM T&D Energy Management & Markets).