Empresas y finanzas

Ashmore Energy International Agrees to Acquire Indirect Controlling Interest in Power Distribution Business Located in El Salvador, Distribuidora de Electricidad Del Sur, S.A. (''DelSur'') From PPL Corporation



    Ashmore Energy International (AEI) announced today an agreement
    for the acquisition of an indirect 86.41% interest in Distribuidora de
    Electricidad Del Sur, S.A. ("DelSur") from PPL Corporation (PPL). The
    transaction is expected to close within 30 days.

    DelSur serves approximately 291,000 customers in the central and
    southern regions of El Salvador and operates a distribution network of
    over 6,000 km. The company sold approximately 1,100 GWh in 2006.
    DelSur was rated AAA (local scale) by Fitch Ratings.

    AEI already has a significant presence in the Central American
    energy market, owning power generation businesses totaling over 480 MW
    installed capacity in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Dominican Republic, as
    well as Elektra Noreste in Panama, a power distribution company that
    delivers electricity to approximately 300,000 customers.

    "This transaction reinforces AEI's position as one of the key
    players in the Central American energy markets. We are very excited to
    enter the market of El Salvador by acquiring a well-run and
    strategically located asset," Roberto Figueroa, Vice President of AEI
    and Country Manager for Guatemala, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and
    Panama, commented on the transaction. "AEI is committed to continue
    offering high quality services to the communities served by DelSur and
    will rely on DelSur's highly qualified workforce for that. We believe
    that the combination of DelSur's management team and AEI's expertise
    in power distribution and knowledge of the region will further
    strengthen the Company's ability to grow in Central America."

    AEI owns and operates essential energy infrastructure in emerging
    markets. AEI manages interests in a group of 19 energy assets (27
    assets including Promigas' subsidiaries) with operations in 14
    countries and more than USD 2.5 billion in revenues (pro forma) and
    9,800 employees. The Company serves approximately 8 million customers
    worldwide by operating through three business segments: Natural Gas
    Distribution, Transportation and Services; Power Distribution; and
    Power Generation with approximately 37,000 km of gas and liquids
    pipelines, 120,000 km of power transmission and distribution lines,
    and a gross installed capacity of 1,675 MW. You can visit the AEI
    website at www.ashmoreenergy.com.