Direct Energy Business Offers Easy Way to Make Special Events “Green” Renewable energy certificate program launched at Interior Design Show in Toronto

Toronto, ON (2/5/2009) - Direct Energy Business is launching “Keeping it Green”, an easy, cost-effective service which will enable event planners and meeting organizers to reduce the environmental impact of their events at the Direct Energy Centre.

The “Keeping It Green” program allows meeting planners and event organizer to purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) equivalent to the amount of electricity used by their event. These RECs, which come from EcoLogo certified generation facilities, represent proof that one megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity was generated from a renewable source—such as wind, solar, low impact hydro, biomass, biodiesel or geothermal power—and delivered into a power grid.

“Direct Energy is committed to developing products and services that help our customers reduce their environmental impact and become more energy efficient,” said Graham Leith, Senior Director, Direct Energy Business. “Event planners and meeting organizers will now be able to substantially reduce the carbon impact of their events. This is not only a good marketing message for the event but the right thing to do for the environment.”

Direct Energy Business, naming rights partner for Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place created a customized program to provide REC’s for trade/consumer shows and events at our facility. “The Direct Energy Business’ “Keeping It Green” program stood out as comprehensive and straight-forward, and fit with our environmental mandate at Exhibition Place,” said Laura Purdy Director of Sales & Marketing, Exhibition Place. “Direct Energy Centre and Exhibition Place prides itself on demonstrating to our event organizers, exhibitors and attendees that it is possible to organize a successful event and be environmentally friendly.”

As part of the “Keeping It Green” program, Direct Energy Business will assist event organizers and meeting planners to promote their event as supporters of sustainable energy.

The Interior Design Show, being held at the Direct Energy Centre from February 5-8, 2009 is the first event to participate in the “Keeping It Green” program. “Direct Energy Business is very proud of the new program, and is excited to have the Interior Design Show participate. It is a relatively simple and easy process that will allow event organizers to ensure that their event had limited environmental impact,” added Mr. Leith.

About Direct Energy Business
Direct Energy is one of North America’s largest energy and energy-related services providers with over 5 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE: CNA), one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 22 states plus DC and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, visit www.directenergy.com and www.directenergybusiness.com.

About Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place
Award-winning Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place is the largest exhibition and convention centre in Canada and the sixth largest in North America with over 1-million square feet of space. Exhibition Place is Canada’s largest entertainment venue, attracting over 5.2 million visitors a year. The 192-acre site is an integral component of Toronto and Ontario’s economy, particularly with respect to sport, festivals, recreation, culture and tourism. Exhibition Place is committed to be a world leader in energy-efficient technologies. Some of our environmental initiatives include: a goal of energy self-sufficiency by 2010; waste-diversion, recycling and composting programs; a wind turbine producing 1.2 million kilowatt hours of energy annually; geothermal and photovoltaic arrays; an urban forestry program including lake-water irrigation of the site; and venue naming rights for Direct Energy Centre with fees earmarked for energy conservation projects. www.directenergycentre.com

For additional information, contact:

Lynzey MacRae
403-290-6775
lynzey.macrae@directenergy.com

Laura Purdy
Direct Energy Centre
416.263.3020
LPurdy@directenergycentre.com

Direct Energy® is a subsidiary of Centrica plc. All rights reserved. Centrica was created following the demerger of British Gas plc in 1997 and is now a leading supplier of energy and related services. To read more about Centrica plc please visit www.centrica.com.