Moscow, October 14th, 2010 – Today Enel SpA (Enel) and JSC Interregional Distribution Grid Companies Holding (IDGC Holding) signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The document was signed by Carlo Tamburi, Head of the International Division for Enel and Nikolay Shvets, Director General for IDGC Holding.

The two companies will carry out joint projects related to the development and implementation of smart grids, including automated meter management systems based on smart meters, in Russian electricity distribution network. The parties are considering various options of cooperation in grid asset management, including the possibility of establishing a joint company. Over more, IDGC Holding and Enel agree to exchange best practices with regard to the design and development of a standardized technical policy, unification and implementation of quality management standards.

"We would like to outline the great experience and organizational knowledge of our partners regarding metering automation and power load management in Italy and other European countries as well. Such experience would be very useful for us considering building-up Russian technical basis for innovative technologies in power transmission and distribution", said Nikolay Shvets, Director General for IDGC Holding.

Carlo Tamburi, Head of Enel International Division commented: “With the signature of this Memorandum with IDGC Holding we are consolidating our expertise on smart grid technologies. This collaboration with a company which represents the backbone of Russia’s electricity distribution allows the exchange of best practices as well as the implementation of joint R&D projects”.

About Enel
Enel is Italy’s largest power company and Europe’s second listed utility by installed capacity. It has a presence in over 40 countries over 4 continents with over 95,000 MW of net installed capacity and sells power and gas to around 61 million customers. Enel has the largest number of shareholders of any Italian company, at about 1.2 million retail and institutional investors in 2009. Enel in Russia is a vertically integrated player active in power generation, distribution and trading. Through its 19.6% in Severenergia, Enel has also a presence in gas upstream.