GE Commitment to India's Rural Electrification Program Highlighted at New Delhi Event.

NEW DELHI, India -- Reconfirming its commitment to help bring electricity to thousands of people in rural India, GE officially launched its Rural Electrification program for India with a ceremony held yesterday in New Delhi.

The event was attended by Ferdinando 'Nani' Beccalli-Falco, President and Chief Executive Officer of GE International; Robert Blake, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy; representatives of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); senior government officials; dignitaries and members of the Indian business community.

Earlier this year, USAID and GE announced a partnership to increase access to cleaner and more affordable energy services in rural India. USAID plans to contribute $600,000 to this program, while GE and its worldwide network of experts, technology centers and partners will invest up to $2.7 million in direct and indirect funding.

In addition to the joint program with USAID, GE has pledged to support the "Power to All by 2012" and "Rural Electrification/Rural Business Hub" initiatives that have been launched by the Indian government. Currently, 56 percent of India's 700 million rural residents lack adequate and/or reliable power supplies.

The GE Rural Electrification Program for India will incorporate a number of renewable energy technologies from GE Energy's ecomagination portfolio. Ecomagination encompasses products that generate electricity through the use of renewable, biogas or waste gas technologies, as well as high-efficiency, low-emissions gas turbines and engines.

The Rural Electrification Program has been designed around renewable and waste stream technologies that can help to reduce or eliminate a community's dependence on transported fuels. Providing access to more reliable power will serve as the foundation for other improvements, such as expanded health care services, enhanced agricultural productivity, increased access to clean water, skill development and economic empowerment for the people of India. It demonstrates a paradigm shift from electrical connectivity to economic connectivity.

"This landmark event is further evidence of GE's commitment to assist the Government of India in its plan to provide 'Power for All' by 2012. Four years ago my colleague, John Rice, pledged GE's support to this essential initiative. Now, working along with USAID, we are making that pledge a reality," said Beccalli-Falco.

"Just three weeks ago in New Delhi, President Bush and Prime Minister Singh reaffirmed their shared commitment to further expand the ties between our two countries - including energy cooperation. The current partnership between USAID and GE to promote commercially viable rural electrification systems will help translate the vision of our two nations' leaders into concrete, practical applications on the ground. The U.S. Mission in India is proud to be associated with this innovative effort to meet the energy needs of rural Indians through public-private partnerships," said Blake.

GE Energy will deploy a variety of power generation technologies to support the India rural electrification effort. While GE's primary focus in India in the past has been on gas turbines and gas engines, the company also believes there is tremendous potential within this program for furthering energy independence of communities through the use of solar and wind power. For the Rural Electrification Program, the GE Global Research Center in Bangalore has developed an integrated hybrid technology model, which combines various forms of renewable energy and provides customized power solutions based on availability of local fuel resources.

During yesterday's ceremony, GE also announced it will supply biogas engines for pilot projects in India. Through the GE Rural Electrification Program, GE Energy has signed a contract with Malavalli Power Plant Private Limited (MPPL) to provide 30 Jenbacher JMS320 engines, which will be used to generate combined heat and power to meet electrical, refrigeration and heating needs within rural communities.

"The Rural Business Hub (RBH) initiative aims to stimulate economic activity by optimizing utilization of local talent and resources under the guidance of the Confederation of Indian Industry and MPPL will invest $30 million in developing these Rural Electrification/RBH projects under the 'Public-Private-Panchayat' initiative," said K. Krishan, Chairman of MPPL and Core Group of Power (under the RBH initiative).

"These projects can be a catalyst in helping us meet almost 50% of our rural electrification needs by using renewable energy. We are excited to have GE associated with these initiatives through its world class technology and innovative solutions," Mr. Krishan added.

GE's Jenbacher engines operate on a variety of alternative or specialty fuels including biogas, crop residue, municipal solid waste, landfill, coal mine methane and industrial waste gases. The units feature advanced emissions and engine control technology that allows for the cleaner combustion of biomass for onsite power.

About GE Energy

GE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2005 revenue of $16.5 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels. Numerous GE Energy products are certified under ecomagination, GE's corporate-wide initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges.