Siemens Is Awarded Three Transmission Projects From Entergy Corporation

Siemens Is Awarded Three Transmission Projects From Entergy
Corporation
High Voltage FACTS projects are part of utility's long-term reliability
initiatives 


RALEIGH, N.C., July 6  /PRNewswire/ -- Entergy Corporation has awarded three
high voltage transmission projects to Siemens Power Transmission &
Distribution, Inc. The new installations will help Entergy increase reliability
and capacity on its power transmission system to help meet increasing demand in
its Western Service Area.

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The three FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) projects will include two
Static VAR Compensators (SVC) and one Fixed Series Capacitor (FSC) that will be
built at three primary Entergy substations in Texas and Louisiana. Siemens has
contracted with Beta Engineering, LLC of Pineville, LA, to provide site
installation, engineering and construction services for the turnkey projects.
Construction is expected to begin in October 2004.

Numerous system upgrades are underway in Entergy's Western Service Area
including a new 230kV transmission line from China, TX to Porter, TX, about 25
miles north of Houston.  The Fixed Series Capacitor (FSC) will be installed at
the mid-point of this transmission line, and will improve power flow and
provide for 70% compensation of the line.  Beta Engineering, under a separate
contract with Entergy, has begun construction of a new substation in Porter
which will include the Siemens SVC, as well as Siemens power circuit breakers,
autotransformers, and station arresters.

"Entergy has committed to increasing our system reliability and capacity to
better serve our customers and to ensure the stability of our transmission
system," said John Zemanek, Vice President-Transmission.  "These projects are
critical components in that strategy as population and loads continue to grow
in many areas of our service territory."  In 2001, Siemens and Beta completed a
similar Fixed Series Capacitor installation at Entergy's Jacinto substation in
eastern Texas.

A second SVC is being installed at the Ninemile substation in southeastern
Louisiana, nine miles up river from New Orleans.  The turnkey project will
allow Entergy greater flexibility in power supply to the area without loss of
system stability or voltage support.  Siemens was also awarded maintenance
contracts for the three new FACTS projects, as well as the existing FSC at
Jacinto.

"Siemens has again demonstrated its ability to deliver innovative technology
solutions to our customers' problems by providing value-added project
management expertise and overall cost savings to our customers," said Dave
Pacyna, President & CEO of Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution. "Our
successful relationship with Beta Engineering on turnkey projects,
understanding our customers' needs and putting them first, positioned us
favorably to win these projects," he added.

About Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution (USA)

Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution, Inc., headquartered in Raleigh, NC,
creates innovative product, system and service solutions for its customers --
electric utilities, transmission organizations, Independent System Operators,
and large energy consumers.  It is a leading supplier of high and medium
voltage power delivery equipment and energy management and information systems
for regulated and deregulated generation, transmission, and distribution
markets.  The company's products and systems are used to increase power system
capacity and improve the reliability, stability and flexibility of power
delivery and network control systems. It has operations in Wendell, NC;
Jackson, MS; Minneapolis, MN; San Jose, CA; and Atlanta, GA.  For more
information visit us at: http:www.usa.siemens.com/energy .

About Beta Engineering

Beta Engineering, located in Pineville, LA, is an EPC contractor specializing
in engineering, procurement and construction of electrical substations,
transmission lines, distribution systems and FACTS projects throughout the
United States.  Beta has been delivering turnkey high voltage power systems for
more than 25 years.  For more information, visit
http://www.betaengineering.com/ . 

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DATASOURCE: Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution, Inc.



CONTACT:  Rita Simonetta of Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution,

Inc., [phone], or  



Web site:  http://www.siemens.com/

http:www.usa.siemens.com/energy

http://www.betaengineering.com/ 

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