Heinenoord/Zaltbommel - GTI Infra bv has designed and installed the connection to the national grid for Windnet Oost-Flevoland, and will complete its work this week. The remarkable thing about the project is that it is the first time in the Netherlands that wind energy is being directly linked to the 150,000-volt network. The wind turbines can be regulated and monitored through a glass fibre network and ADSL connection which is part of the design. The wind farm produces 60 million kilowatt-hours of electricity - enough to meet the energy needs of 17,000 households for a year.

Windnet is the first private network in the Netherlands to be specifically developed for large-scale wind farms. This new network, which has been designed and constructed by GTI Infra for Windnet,  connects 17 wind turbines (each of which can generate 1,800 kilowatts) with the national grid. It distributes its electricity at 23,000 Volts and is connected to the 150,000-volt national grid. GTI Infra has built a substation to achieve the transformation of 23,000 volts to 150,000 volts. The capacity of this substation is sufficient to allow several energy networks to be connected to it. GTI is at present engaged in connecting two large wind farms to the network, a task commissioned by the Wageningen University and Research Centre (the WUR). This involves twenty 2,300-watt wind turbines, and will be operational from August 2006.

GTI Infra will also be assuming responsibility for the Windnet network management.

GTI focuses on technical services in the Benelux and develops integrated solutions: from design right through to the realisation, maintenance and management in all disciplines presented. GTI is part of SUEZ Energy Services, together with the companies Axima, Elyo, ENDEL, INEO, Tractebel Engineering and Fabricom GTI.

SUEZ Energy Services, European leader in installation and technical services, develops value added solutions for its clients in industry, building services and infrastructure, including the design, realisation and maintenance of technical installations, together with energy management and long-term multi-disciplinary management. SUEZ Energy Services has 66,000 employees and booked revenues of € 10.3 billion in 2005. SUEZ Energy Services is one of the four business lines of the stock exchange-listed, international industrial group SUEZ.

For further information, please contact:
GTI nv
Leen Geschiere, Group marketing and communications
Kosterijland 50, 3981 AJ Bunnik; postbus 210, 3980 CE Bunnik
Telephone: +31 (0)30 656 94 00; mobile: +31 (0)6 20 24 61 53; fax: +31 (0)30 656 94 15;
email: info@gti-group.com; internet: www.gti-group.com / www.fabricom-oilandgas.com