ESB secures World Cup contract on South African Trade Mission

Statement by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin TD, has today (Wednesday 16th January) announced the signing of a new contract between ESB International and Eskom, the South African electricity company at Eskom's headquarters in Johannesburg during the Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission to South Africa.

This €4.5 million contract retains ESBI to provide engineering consultancy services in the construction of an additional 1,000 megawatts of generation capacity at the recently commissioned power plants in the Western Cape of South Africa.

ESBI currently has a team of consultants in Johannesburg and Cape Town planning this project,  which is due for completion by the end of 2009 to ensure supply for the World Cup the following year.

Minister Micheál Martin said, "This project confirms ESBI's standing in the international power arena and recognises the diversity and capabilities provided by Irish companies.  This project sees ESBI assisting the South African authorities meeting the infrastructural needs for the World Cup it is hosting in 2010." He wished Eskom well with the implementation of its major capital investment."

"ESB  International  has  strong  links  with  South Africa and has already played  a  key  role  in  several  major  projects here. While clearly this project  is  planned  with  the  World  Cup in mind and will provide enough electricity  to  power  400  Croke  Parks,  it  is  an  important  piece of infrastructure  for the long term in a country where there is huge economic transformation."

"The  fact  that  the signing is taking place during Ireland's largest ever trade mission to South Africa underlines how both our countries can benefit from strong trade links."

John  Campion  ESB Executive Director Human Resources and Corporate Affairs said,  "ESB  is  delighted  to  extend  its business in the expanding South African  energy  market. Eskom, our partner in this contract, is one of the major  energy  providers  on  the African continent and ESBI envisages even greater business ventures with the company into the future."

ENDS

(This   press release is also available on the Department's website
www.entemp.ie)

For Further Information Contact:

Jerry   O'Connor, Media  Advisor,  Department  of  Enterprise,  Trade  and
Employment +0027 711992384

Press Office
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Ph: 631 2200 Fax: 6312828
www.entemp.ie