Foster Wheeler and CNIM to Conduct Study on 600 MW Supercritical CFB Boiler Design for Electricite De France.

CLINTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 18, 1999--Foster Wheeler Corporation and Constructions Industrielles de la Mediterranee (CNIM) of France are taking part in a comprehensive design study for the next generation of Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) electrical generation technology for Electricite de France (EDF), the world's largest electric utility. Foster Wheeler Energia Oy will work with CNIM to develop the study.

The study's objective is to develop an advanced CFB design for a utility size CFB producing 600 MW. The new design will rely on proven scaling principles, using demonstrated state-of-the-art design features and over 100 years of experience held by the study's participants.

"Electricite de France foresees CFB technology as playing a crucial role in meeting the world's future electricity demands," said Henry E. Bartoli, chairman and CEO of Foster Wheeler Energy International, Inc. "Taking the CFB technology to the 600 MW size is a key part of our strategy to offer a clean and efficient repowering option to the aging coal fleets of developed nations."

To achieve state-of-the-art efficiency levels, the design will feature an advanced variable-pressure, supercritical once- through steam cycle. This advanced steam cycle significantly improves and optimizes the plant efficiency over a wide operating range. To support the aggressive steam conditions, advanced materials will be utilized throughout the design.

When this unit is built it will represent the largest, most advanced CFB in the world, more than double the size of any operating CFB unit today, and is envisioned to competitively supply electricity while meeting future environmental needs.

Today, CFB technology cleanly and efficiently generates electricity from a wide variety of low cost and waste solid fuels, such as all types of coal, refinery waste products, biomass and garbage. Its unique fluidized-bed combustion process extracts energy from low value fuels while inherently capturing harmful pollutants. Foster Wheeler is the leading supplier of CFB technology throughout the world, offering units for steam and electricity production of up to 400 MW electrical output. At the present time, the largest Foster Wheeler CFB boiler delivered is 3x235 MWe, repowering the Turow power plant in Poland. The first 235 MWe unit will be in commercial operation at the start of 1999. Also two 150 MWe CFB boilers for National Power Supply are in the commissioning phase in Tha Toom, Thailand. To date, the company has installed more than 180 CFB units worldwide.

CNIM is a Foster Wheeler CFB licensee and a partner in the development of the pressurized CFB technology and has built several CFBA plants in France. CNIM has also worked with Foster Wheeler Energia Oy on projects in the Czech Republic, where they have supplied two 178 MWth CFB boilers for the Czech Power Company CEZ, a.s. power plant in Porici.

Note to Editors:

1. Foster Wheeler Corporation is a global company offering a broad

range of design, engineering, construction, manufacturing,

project development and management, research, plant operations

and environmental services. The Corporation's headquarters are at

Clinton, N.J. For more information about Foster Wheeler, visit

our World-Wide Web site at http//www.fwc.com.

2. Foster Wheeler Energia Oy in Finland is a subsidiary of Foster

Wheeler Energy International, Inc., which is based in Clinton,

New Jersey. Foster Wheeler Energy International, Inc. designs,

manufactures, and erects steam generators and auxiliary power

generation equipment for electric power producers, public

authorities, and industrial applications worldwide.

3. CNIM is a private company based in Paris offering high technology

solutions for the defense, environmental and energy sectors. In

the energy sector, CNIM is a turnkey contractor and equipment

manufacturer for waste-to-energy plants, flue gas treatment,

steam generators and cogeneration plants.