For additional information please contact:

Bob Burdett
Corporate Communications Manager
Nexant, Inc.

+1 415 369 1114
bburdett@nexant.com


      



MERCADOS ENERGÉTICOS CONSULTORES SELECTS NEXANT FOR GUYANA ENERGY SECTOR PROJECT

Buenos Aires and San Francisco---December 27, 2006---Mercados Energéticos Consultores (www.me-consultores.com) and Nexant, Inc. (www.nexant.com) announced today that Nexant has been selected to provide training and related organizational strengthening services to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) of the Republic of Guyana.

Mercados Energéticos Consultores and Nexant will assist the PUC in strengthening its ability to monitor and enforce agreements for competitive independent power producer solicitations; supervise power purchase agreements; augment the professional capabilities of PUC staff; and strengthen the commission's capacity to effectively fulfill its mandate. Nexant's role includes:

  • Assessing the PUC's current capabilities (staffing skills, numbers, and training) for carrying out its mandate and functions
  • Recommending a training plan to enhance staff capabilities
  • Assisting with training program implementation
  • Reviewing and making recommendations to improve PUC's capabilities in areas such as national education and outreach, public participation, and information access.
The project is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), and is part of the MIF's long-standing assistance geared toward attracting private investment in electricity in Guyana.

"Although we have led and participated in numerous regulatory and energy sector restructuring projects around the world, this new award is a first for us in Guyana," said John Banks, Nexant's project manager for the PUC effort. "We look forward to working with Mercados Energéticos, the PUC, and other energy sector participants to help Guyana develop a strong and viable electricity system."

The Guyana PUC project is scheduled to continue through April 2007.

ABOUT MERCADOS ENERGÉTICOS CONSULTORES
Mercados Energéticos Consultores is an international consulting firm with extensive experience in power sector advisory, reconstruction, regulation, planning, and technoeconomic studies and analyses. Since 1993, it has focused its attention on finding practical and innovative solutions, integrating technoeconomics, computer modeling, and hands-on industry experience. The company is internationally recognized for its expertise in designing efficient power sector policies and helping both private and public sector clients develop effective strategies to address industry challenges. Its services encompass the full spectrum of power sector needs, from restructuring to power system planning and expansion.

ABOUT NEXANT
Nexant's products and services help clients solve critical strategic and operational challenges in several key areas: electric power, energy management, energy technology, retail and wholesale power markets, enterprise risk management, chemicals and petrochemicals, and oil and gas. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, CA and maintains offices in London, U.K.; Bangkok, Thailand; Tokyo, Japan; Beijing, China; Seoul, South Korea; White Plains, NY; Washington, D.C.; Houston, TX; Madison, WI; Boulder, CO; Salt Lake City, UT; Phoenix, AZ; and Los Angeles, CA. The company is owned by a select group of investors and Nexant management and employees. Nexant® is a proprietary trademark of Nexant, Inc.

CONTACT
For additional information, please contact John Banks at +1 202 974 0605 or Bob Burdett at +1 415 369 1114.



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