Accenture to Provide Xcel Energy with Application Outsourcing Services.

DENVER -- Accenture (NYSE: ACN) will provide Xcel Energy with application management services under a multi-year application outsourcing agreement. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Under the agreement, Accenture will provide application maintenance and software development for Xcel Energy's customer care, meter systems and human resources/payroll applications. Xcel Energy will leverage Accenture's deep experience in the utilities sector and in application outsourcing services to increase its operational performance and enhance its customer service.

"We continually evaluate our sourcing strategies to improve the execution of our technology strategy and increase the service and support levels for our internal and external customers," said Michael Lamb, Xcel Energy's managing director of IT strategy and operations. "Our collaboration with Accenture is aligned with our strategy of leveraging the best skills and expertise to ensure we have the most efficient and effective IT organization possible. Over the past couple of years, we have worked with Accenture on several innovative projects and believe they will bring new synergies to our operations."

Xcel Energy's application management -- previously outsourced to a third-party service provider -- will be transitioned to Accenture over the next four months.

Michael Donohue, a senior executive in Accenture's Utilities industry group, said, "As an innovative company, Xcel Energy understands the best practices, tools and technology that are required to achieve its strategic vision. We are pleased to bring our deep experience in the utilities sector and assets in application services to help Xcel Energy improve its operational performance, increase its level of customer service and be a leader in its industry."

Accenture is also helping Xcel Energy augment its electric grid through the development and implementation of SmartGridCity([TM]) in Boulder, Colo. Boulder will become a proving ground for the smart grid, a power system that combines traditional and new technology to manage the flow of energy more effectively than previously possible. SmartGridCity([TM]) is designed to provide more-reliable energy while enabling residents and businesses to optimize the use of renewable energy sources, increase energy conservation options, manage their energy bills more effectively and minimize their collective environmental footprint.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world's most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With more than 186,000 people serving clients in over 120 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$23.39 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2008. Its home page is www.accenture.com.