USA - Second wind contract announced for northern New Brunswick

SUEZ Energy will construct a wind farm in the Caribou Mountain area for a total of 99 megawatts (MW) of wind energy, Premier Shawn Graham and Energy Minister Jack Keir announced today.

A 20-year power purchase agreement for up to 99 megawatts of wind power has been finalized between NB Power and SUEZ Energy, which is an affiliate of SUEZ Renewable Energy NA. The company will construct, own, and operate the commercial wind farm in the Caribou Mountain area.

Graham is happy with what this means for northern New Brunswick. "The investments being made in wind energy are proving that all of New Brunswick will benefit from the province being an energy hub," he said. "Job creation and economic growth for northern New Brunswick are priorities for government, and they are key components of
our self-sufficiency agenda. We are delighted that over 100 jobs will be created during the construction of these wind farms."

This is the third major wind energy contract announced by the province this winter. There will also be wind farms developed in Lamèque and Aulac, to be in operation by November 2009.

Energy Minister Jack Keir is also pleased with the announcement. "The progress we are making on wind energy is terrific," he said. "Local communities will benefit directly from this, as will the environment. New Brunswick is emerging as a leader in renewable energy, which is something I am very proud of."

"As a result of this partnership with SUEZ Energy, I am pleased to say that NB Power has reached a milestone in achieving our goal to have 400 MW of wind energy in place by 2010," said David Hay, president and CEO of NB Power. "When you factor in this wind farm at Caribou Mountain with our existing projects, we will have more than
three quarters of our commitment in place by November 2009." "SUEZ is proud to play a part in the renewable energy development of New Brunswick," said Paul Cavicchi, president and CEO of SUEZ Renewable Energy NA. "We very much look forward to expanding our Canadian wind
farm portfolio through our project in Caribou Mountain, and to working with NB Power and the provincial government in the months and years to come."

Today's announcement follows an RFP released in May 2007 by NB Power for the purchase of up to 300 MW of wind-powered generation by November 2010 from potential private sector developers. By adding more wind energy, New Brunswick is diversifying its generation mix to include more renewable energy, which is a win for the environment and a win for the consumer. Wind energy brings greater stability for rates in the future, because it lessens dependency on the uncontrollable prices of foreign oil and coal.

The wind farm in Caribou Mountain is scheduled to be in service by November 2009. One facility will contain 16 wind turbines, while the other located in the same vicinity, will consist of 17 wind turbines, which will provide a total of 330,500 MWH of power per year. This will be approximately enough power to meet the electricity needs of
about19,000 homes.

SUEZ Renewable Energy NA has 25 wind energy development projects in six provinces in eastern Canada, including Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The portfolio is believed to be one of the largest portfolios of potential wind energy projects in Canada, and includes close to 2,000 MW of electricity generation in various stages of development.

Between 100 and 150 jobs will be created during the construction of the project. Thirteen permanent jobs will be created in the region, representing a total investment of about $200 million.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Bonnie Doyle, Energy, 506-658-2410, Heather MacLean, NB Power, 506-458-6618, Julie Vitek, SUEZ Energy North America, 713- 636-1962