Eskom Selects Black & Veatch to Provide Project Management and Engineering Services for World-Class Power Generation Plant

Business Wire, May 8, 2008

Project Bravo to Add 4,800 Megawatts to Meet South Africa Electricity Needs

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Black & Veatch, a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company, has been selected by Eskom to provide project management and engineering services for a 4,800-megawatt (MW) power generation facility being constructed in South Africa.

"This is a world-class project which will have extensive and immediate benefits for South Africa," said Len Rodman, Chairman, President and CEO of Black & Veatch. "We will provide an innovative infrastructure solution that will be sustainable for current and future generations."

Eskom, South Africa's state-owned electric utility, is utilizing Black & Veatch's experience and expertise in assisting with engineering services and supervising construction of six-800 (MW) units that will comprise Project Bravo, a 4,800-MW supercritical coal-fired generation facility about 120 miles east of Johannesburg. The units' design will feature flue-gas de-sulphurization with the end result being a highly efficient and reliable energy supply that will also lower air emissions.

"Drawing on our in-depth experience from implementing sustainable large-scale energy projects throughout Asia-Pacific and the United States, we will utilize our global workforce to deliver a reliable solution that will also greatly benefit economic growth and enhance the quality of life for South Africa residents," said Dean Oskvig, President and CEO of Black & Veatch's global energy business.

Project Bravo is scheduled to be completed in stages with the first unit coming online in 2012 and the final unit in 2015. Project Bravo work for Eskom, the world's 11th-largest electric utility, is now underway and will ultimately provide needed power for South Africa's growing economy. The country's electric supplies are currently constrained and require increased generation capacity. The shortage of adequate electric power supply is affecting industries in South Africa such as production levels at gold and platinum mining operations.

"We chose Black & Veatch for this important project based on the company's strong record of consistently delivering solutions to complex energy projects on specified performance and schedule," said Jan Oberholzer, Acting Senior General Manager for Eskom. "This is a historic project for South Africa and will have tremendous benefits for the country's economic growth."

Black & Veatch has been providing engineering, consulting and construction services to Eskom since 1995 in areas ranging from power plant consulting, planning, design and engineering, renewable energy, nuclear strategy, environmental services and information technology. Oskvig added that the company's long-term relationship with Eskom also brings added benefits to the project.

"Our in-depth knowledge and experience of Eskom's operations allow us to execute a project of this magnitude on an aggressive project schedule, addressing the critical and timely demand for energy," said Oskvig.

About Eskom

Eskom Holdings generates, transports and distributes approximately 95% of South Africa's electricity - making up 60% of the total electricity consumed on the African continent. Eskom is the world's eleventh-largest power utility in terms of generating capacity, ranks ninth in terms of sales, and boasts the world's largest dry-cooling power station.

Eskom Holdings' Enterprises Division designs, builds and refurbishes Eskom's assets, and acts as a catalyst for project development for the group. Eskom Enterprises' main focus is to support Eskom Holdings and be the custodian of non-regulated businesses and offer strategic and commercial lifecycle services to the line divisions.

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in energy, water, telecommunications, management consulting, federal and environmental markets. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch develops tailored infrastructure solutions that meet clients' needs and provide sustainable benefits. Solutions are provided from the broad line of service expertise available within Black & Veatch, including conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, program management, construction management, environmental, security design and consulting, management consulting and infrastructure planning. With $3.2 billion in revenue, the employee-owned company has more than 100 offices worldwide and has completed projects in more than 100 countries on six continents. The company's Web site address is www.bv.com.