ALSTOM'S LATEST SOFTWARE RELEASE SUPPORTS SECURE GRID COMMUNICATIONS

(Eddystone, PA / Bellevue, WA – October 9, 2003) ALSTOM's T&D Sector, a leading supplier of energy and information technology and solutions, has launched a new version of its communications software to prevent unauthorized intrusions into communications between utility control centers.

The software, called E-terracommš v2.3, is designed to reinforce grid security by supporting secure ICCP-TASE.2 (Inter-control Center Communications Protocol), an internationally accepted standard for the exchange of realtime data between utility control centers. E-terracomm v2.3 allows utilities charged with assuring secure interconnected transmission operation, to authenticate and/or encrypt their communications between control centers. Authentication certifies that the right users are involved and encryption ensures that the data is secure.

ALSTOM's T&D Energy Automation & Information Business developed this software and put its beta release through a joint, EPRI-funded interoperability test (IOT) with several other vendors in August, 2003, and passed all of the requirements. This means that ALSTOM's product supports TLS, transport layer security, a protocol that guarantees privacy and data integrity between client/server applications communicating over the Internet.

E-terracommš v2.3 also supports application level authentication (MACE – MMS Application Certificate Exchange). While TLS ensures that the client node is communicating with the intended server node (and vice-versa), MACE ensures that the TASE.2 applications communicating on those nodes are the intended ones.

Kevin Perry, Director of Information Technology at Southwest Power Pool was one of three official observers of the IOT. "ALSTOM is a major provider of ICCP systems used by utility companies and reliability coordinators throughout the US and Canada to exchange realtime operational data. With the release of e-terracomm v2.3 and demonstrated interoperability with other ICCP software providers, ALSTOM is providing a significant contribution to securing these critical systems. This will help ensure the reliability of the interconnected transmission grids," said Mr. Perry.

"We've witnessed the impact when our physical infrastructure becomes overloaded and events cascade between critical equipment. What about the mission-critical data being exchanged across communication lines? The latest version of our e-terracommš software and our Substation Automation data server (e-terracontrol) includes technology such as secure ICCP to prevent unauthorized intrusion, such as cyber spoofing which might ultimately impact stable system operation," said Larry Cochrane, Vice President of Research and Development for ALSTOM's T&D Energy Automation & Information Business.

Southwest Power Pool, Inc. is a group of 50 electric utilities serving more than 4 million customers across all or parts of eight southwestern states. This membership is comprised of investor-owned utilities, municipal systems, generation and transmission cooperatives, state authorities, federal agencies, wholesale generators, and power marketers. SPP serves as a regional reliability council of the North American Electric Reliability Council and, since 1997 has provided independent security coordination and tariff administration, pursuant to a FERC approved tariff, across its service area with over 33,000 miles of transmission lines with a gross plant investment approaching $4 billion.

ALSTOM is the global specialist in energy and transport infrastructure. The Company serves the energy market through its activities in the fields of power generation and power transmission and distribution, and the transport market through its activities in rail and marine. In fiscal year 2001/02, ALSTOM had annual sales in excess of €23 billion and employed 112,000 people in over 70 countries. ALSTOM is listed on the Paris, London and New York stock exchanges. The Company is listed on the Paris, London and New York stock exchanges. In the US, ALSTOM Inc. employs more than 7000 people and has annual sales in excess of $4 billion.

ALSTOM's Transmission & Distribution sector is a leading total solution provider in power transmission and distribution. ALSTOM is present at all stages in the supply chain of electricity. From the power plant to the end-user, ALSTOM offers the widest and most reliable range of products and services on the market. At the leading edge of research, ALSTOM is developing tomorrow's services in harmony with the environment. Among other achievements, we are proud to be the #1 provider of energy management software.