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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Prysmian secures new major energy cable contracts in USA.

Two major High voltage cable projects in Connecticut
A five year medium voltage cable contract with IRBY Electric in New Mexico.

Milan, 20 September 2007 – Prysmian Cables & Systems, a world leader in the energy and telecommunications cables and systems industry, has been awarded new major energy cable contracts in USA, strengthening its  leading position in the North American energy cables’ market, particularly in the high voltage segment. In 2006 North America represented 17% of the total Prysmian group’s sales, amounting to over 5 billion euro. Prysmian can rely on four production plants in North America, two in the USA (Abbeville and Lexington) and two in Canada (St. Jean and Prescott).

Two major Underground High Voltage Cables projects in Connecticut
The Northeast Utilities Service Company has awarded Prysmian The Glenbrook Cables/Middletown-Norwalk 115kV underground high voltage cable project that requires in excess of 17 miles of XLPE insulated cable.

The United Illuminating Company and Northeast Utilities Services Company have each awarded Prysmian contracts to furnish, design and install part of the 24-mile Middletown-Norwalk 345kV project, a joint effort of the two Connecticut utility companies to construct the largest XLPE installation of its class in North America.

With these new assignments Prysmian will strengthen its relationship with two of the preeminent utilities in North America taking a major role in the construction of the new High Voltage transmission network in Connecticut. Prysmian’s North American High Voltage Systems installation group will oversee installation and engineering services for the projects. The company plans to use its affiliate’s manufacturing expertise to provide cable from state-of-the-art facilities in Gron, France and Pikkala, Finland. Prysmian’s affiliates in the Netherlands and Italy will provide cable accessories.

A 33.5 million dollar Medium Voltage Cable contract in New Mexico
A 33.5 million dollar contract has been signed with Irby Electric, a Sonepar Company for PNM Resources, for the supply of the Medium Voltage Cable to Public Service of New Mexico and Texas - New Mexico Power Company. This is a five year Medium Voltage Cable contract with PNM including a state of the art, internet based cable management program. This contract reinforces Prysmian's geographic position in the New Mexico area and expands the existing product portfolio with PNM Resources.

PNM is the New Mexico's largest electricity and natural gas provider, serving nearly 487,000 electricity customers and 490,000 natural gas customers in approximately 100 communities state-wide and also selling electricity on the wholesale market.

For further information:

Media relations

Lorenzo Caruso
Communication Director
Ph. 0039 02 6449.21
lorenzo.caruso@prysmian.com

Investor Relations

Luca Caserta   
Head of Investor Relations 
Ph. 0039 02 6449.21
luca.caserta@prysmian.com