March 18, 2002

Cap Gemini Ernst & Young And Enerpresse Launch European Energy Markets Deregulation Observatory

Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and Enerpresse, the French daily energy publication from the Vivendi Publishing Group, are today launching a new research publication assessing the levels of deregulation across 17 European countries. The European Energy Markets Deregulation Observatory (EEMDO), to be published twice a year, will provide the industry with factual data that goes beyond traditional deregulation-related figures and will help utilities companies better understand the changing market in which they operate.

The Barcelona European Energy summit, taking place this week, highlights the need for such analysis. The summit is likely to call for a more balanced deregulation status across its constituent members, as well as stronger instruments for monitoring the reality of competition across Europe. The EEMDO tackles these issues head on through a unique perspective across 17 EC members using data from over 20 European authorities and illustrating progress using comparable indicators that are relevant to the electricity industry.

This research programme follows Cap Gemini Ernst & Young's recent global survey of the utilities industry, 'Making Deregulation Work: Have The Basics Been Forgotten?' Released in January 2002, this survey unravelled many of the complex issues surrounding deregulation and outlined a vision for the future. This new publication represents Cap Gemini Ernst & Young's next stage of support provision for European energy companies.

Through this initiative, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, along with Enerpresse, hopes to document an accurate overview of European energy markets by analysing short-term indicators such as liquidity, market volatility, fragmentation and availability of the offer, as well as the nature of the demand. Long-term indicators, such as present and future market impacts relative to generation and physical transportation capacities, have also been used to provide a clearer picture of the electricity industry as it reshapes and reforms across Europe. The impact of electricity companies on the environment is also judged since it is likely to play an increasing part in the European energy policies focusing on the short-term aspects of the industry.

This assessment will be refined in forthcoming editions, according to the development of competition, the evolution of the main market participants' behaviour, and availability of data providing insights on market evolution.

"The European Observatory will be the result of publicly available data, such as information from the EU Commission, European regulators, grids and power exchanges, brought together, analysed and interpreted for use by the industry" said Joël Spaes, Enerpresse Editor in Chief. "This approach enables us to publish our findings at a pace that reflects the ever-changing nature of utilities."

According to Philippe David, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young Vice-President in charge of Utilities Market Restructuring practice in France, "This type of analysis is key to our understanding of where the industry is going - what will change, what will progress and what is likely to decline. This will indicate to companies what they must do to ensure their long term success."

Notes to Editors:

About Cap Gemini Ernst & Young

The Group Cap Gemini Ernst & Young is one of the largest management and IT consulting organisations in the world. The company offers management and IT consulting services, systems integration, and technology development, design and outsourcing capabilities on a global scale to help businesses continue to implement growth strategies and leverage technology in the new economy. The organisation employs more than 56,500 people worldwide and reports 2001 global revenues of about 8.4 billion euros.

About Energy, Utilities & Chemicals Global Sector

With more than 6,000 dedicated consultants engaged in Energy, Chemicals Mining and Utilities projects across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young's Energy, Utilities & Chemicals Global Sector Unit serves the business consulting and information technology needs of many of the world's largest players of this industry.

More information about individual service lines, offices and research is available at www.cgey.com/energy

Within thirty years, Enerpresse has emerged as the reference source of information for the French-speaking professionals in the domains of the energy, the energy-related research and the prevention of the climatic change impacts.

Thanks to its specialised editorial staff and its world-wide network of correspondents, Enerpresse provides, every morning, the best part of French, European and international news relative to the energy field. Intended for all members of the sector, Enerpresse also publishes fundamental reports on topics, actors, markets and technologies that make the energy sector one of most dynamic of the moment.

For more information, please contact:

Philippe Guichardaz
Cap Gemini Ernst &Young
Tel: +33 (0) 1 47 54 50 45
philippe.guichardaz@cgey.com

Joël Spaes
ENERPRESSE
TEL: +33 (0) 1 40 13 50 49
joel.spaes@groupemoniteur.fr

Katy Ormond, Caroline Feltham or Sinead Doyle
Harrison Cowley for Cap Gemini Ernst & Young
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7404 6777
katyo@harrisoncowley.com