GE Wind Turbines to Add 45 Megawatts of Wind Power Capacity in France.

Energy Editors/Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 29, 2004

GE Energy is supplying 30 wind turbines for two projects in France that will total 45 megawatts of new wind power capacity, which will represent an increase of nearly 20% in the country's installed wind capacity, GE announced today at Global Windpower 2004.

In 2003, France increased its capacity for wind-generated electricity by 91 megawatts, bringing the total installed capacity by the end of the year to 239 megawatts. The French government is supporting wind power development with fixed tariffs for wind-powered electricity, and has set a goal of 5,000 megawatts of capacity by the year 2010.

For the first project announced today, La Haute Lys, GE is providing 25 of its 1.5-megawatt wind turbines. This project, one of the first large French installations of wind turbines, is located in four municipal areas in northern France: Fauquembergues, Renty-Audincthun, Reclinghem and Vincly.

The project owner is Sechilienne-Sidec, a holding company that is part of the Air Liquide Group of France. Project developers are Cegelec, France's largest electrical engineering contractor; and Espace Eolien Developpement, a leading French wind project developer. Project completion is expected by the fourth quarter of 2004.

For the second project, Sortosville-Les Beaumont, GE is supplying five 1.5-megawatt wind turbines. The project is located in the Cotentin area on the west coast of France.

The project owner is CEPE du Cotentin, and the developer is EOLE-RES, one of the largest French development companies. EOLE-RES is the result of an alliance between French developer EOLE Technologie and Renewable Energy Systems, a leader in wind power development with more than 20 wind farms and 700 megawatts of installed capacity throughout the world. Project completion is expected by June of 2004.

Both of the new projects will provide power to Electricite de France (EDF), the French national electricity supplier.

"With growing support for clean, environmental energy solutions, we're truly seeing an increase in wind energy demand - especially in Europe," said Steve Zwolinski, CEO of GE Energy's wind operations. "We are pleased that our technology has been selected for two of France's first wind energy projects. We're committed to these efforts and look forward to supporting our customers' long-term wind energy needs."

About GE Energy

GE Energy (www.gepower.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technology, with 2003 revenues of nearly $18.5 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, transmission and distribution, distributed power and energy rental industries.

With wind turbine design, manufacturing and/or assembly facilities in Germany, Spain, and the United States, GE Energy's current product portfolio includes wind turbines with rated outputs ranging from 1,500 to 3,600 kilowatts, and support services ranging from project development assistance to operation and maintenance. The company has developed and/or installed more than 6,600 wind turbines with a total capacity exceeding 4,700 megawatts.