CPL Helping Customers Through Tough Economy Lower electricity prices coming to CPL customers this month

McAllen, TX  (2/4/2009) - Amid a backdrop of increased economic hardship across the nation, and in South Texas communities, CPL Retail Energy is taking action to help its customers – beginning with a 15 percent decrease in prices for its residential Direct Electricity Plan customers this month.

Effective February 28th, all residential customers on the Direct Electricity Plan will see their electricity prices reduced by 15 percent – resulting in average annualized savings of over $360.

“CPL cares about its customers, and we realize that a slowing economy is impacting many South Texans,” said Jim Steffes, Vice President, CPL Retail Energy. “We value the customers who’ve made us their retail electricity provider of choice, and we believe that continuing to reduce prices for our customers when they need it most is the right thing to do.”

CPL continues to be focused on keeping prices as stable as possible to mitigate the impact of price and market volatility on its customers. “We’re a long-term partner with our customers and our local communities,” said Steffes.

In addition to the price reduction, CPL is also launching a sweepstakes aimed at directly and positively impacting nearly 100 customers’ pocketbooks. All residential customers who are taking service with CPL as of March 31, 2009, will automatically be entered for a chance to win:
• A month’s worth of groceries, up to $500, being awarded to 35 lucky winners;;
• A summer’s worth of “free” electricity, up to $1,000, being awarded to 50 winners; or
• The grand prize of a year’s worth of mortgage payments (up to $40,000).

“We want to be able to make meaningful impacts on our customers; Texans are being impacted by the economic slow-down. We’ve tailored our sweepstakes to reward the loyalty of our South Texas customers, and provide additional help to them over the coming months,” said Steffes, who noted that customers returning to CPL before March 31st will be included in the automatic contest enrollment. The company offers both flexible options like the Direct Electricity Plan, as well as fixed-price plans at competitive prices.

About CPL Retail Energy
CPL Retail Energy is part of the Centrica group of companies, one of the largest multi-state providers of retail energy services in North America. The North American operations have grown to more than 5 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Through its Direct Energy, CPL Retail Energy and WTU Retail Energy brands, the company is the third largest retail energy provider in Texas, and owns a series of energy-related services companies. Globally, the Centrica group of companies is a leading provider of energy and other essential services with approximately 32 million customer relationships. For more information, visit www.cplretailenergy.com.

For additional information, contact:

Lisa Dornan
713-877-3925
lisa.dornan@directenergy.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.