United Utilities Regulatory News (UU.)

22 Jun 2006 09:30

UNITED UTILITIES TO HELP DELIVER SCOTTISH WATER'S 2006-10 CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME Scottish Water Solutions Limited (SWS), a joint venture company in which UnitedUtilities Contract Solutions (UUCS) is a major partner, has been awarded asignificant contract, worth around ‚£760 million, to help manage and deliver asubstantial part of Scottish Water's 2006-10 capital investment programme.As a partner in SWS, UUCS will be involved in the design, build and managementof a range of projects to upgrade Scottish Water's treatment works, water mainsand sewer network infrastructure. SWS will work closely with Scottish Water tooptimise capacity and resource planning and benefit from the sharing of bestpractice.The contract begins with immediate effect, with delivery of the investmentprogramme due by March 2010. In addition, there is potential for SWS to securefurther programme management related work, over this period, with an estimatedvalue of around ‚£200 million.This transaction provides further evidence of UUCS successfully consolidatingits position as the leading utility infrastructure outsourcing company in theUK and places the business in a strong position to compete for future potentialoutsourcing opportunities.Chief Executive of United Utilities, Philip Green, said:"We are delighted to again be supporting Scottish Water in the delivery of itscapital investment programme. This deal builds on our strong performance withScottish Water over the last three years and further demonstrates UnitedUtilities' ability to transfer its core utility skills into growth markets."Geoff Aitkenhead, Scottish Water's Asset Management Director and Chairman ofScottish Water Solutions said:"Scottish Water Solutions was instrumental in delivering a major part of the2002-06 investment programme with very challenging timescales and financiallimits. I am therefore very pleased that they continue to work with us."United Utilities' Contacts:For further information please contact:Philip Green, Chief Executive +44 (0) 1925 237000 Simon Batey, Chief Financial Officer +44 (0) 1925 237000 Darren Jameson, Investor Relations Manager +44 (0) 1925 237033 Evelyn Brodie, Head of Corporate and Financial +44 (0) 20 7307 0309Communications NotesUnited Utilities Contract Solutions applies the core utility skills of UnitedUtilities' licensed multi-utility businesses, through outsourcing contracts,and is involved in the operation or management of assets representing around35% of the UK water industry's asset base. The business also provides gasservices to over 6 million people and serves a population of over 17 million inthe UK.United Utilities Contract Solutions' partners in Scottish Water Solutions areGalliford Try, Morgan Est and Stirling Water. Stirling Water comprises ThamesWater, Kellogg Brown and Root, MJ Gleeson and Alfred McAlpine.United Utilities' ordinary trade on the London Stock Exchange and its ADRs,each equal to two ordinary shares, trade on the New York Stock Exchange underthe Trading Symbol "UU".ENDUNITED UTILITIES PLC