Result of Placing of Energis Shares

National Grid Group PLC 9 February 2000 The National Grid Group plc (NGG) NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN PLACING OF ENERGIS SHARES Further to the announcement earlier today, The National Grid Group plc ('National Grid') announces the successful completion of the placing ('Placing') of 30,000,000 shares of Energis plc ('Energis Shares') following an accelerated bookbuilt offering. The Placing comprised a base deal of 27,000,000 Energis Shares and an over- allotment option ('greenshoe') of 3,000,000 Energis Shares. The Energis Shares were placed with a wide range of institutional investors at a price of 3380 pence per Energis Share. Assuming full exercise of the greenshoe, the gross aggregate consideration is approximately £1.0 billion. The net proceeds from the Placing will be used for general corporate purposes, including a share buy-back programme of up to £400 million, which National Grid announced today. These transactions are expected to enhance earnings per share by just over 10%. Following completion of the Placing, assuming full exercise of the greenshoe, National Grid will retain an economic interest representing approximately 36% of the existing issued share capital of Energis. The accelerated offering was led by ABN AMRO Rothschild, acting as the Global Co-ordinator and Sole Bookrunner with a syndicate comprising Cazenove & Co., Dresdner Kleinwort Benson and HSBC Investment Banking. Energis is a telecommunications and internet company, focussed on the business market place, providing a full portfolio of voice, data and internet services. As at 31 March 1999, Energis had total consolidated shareholders' funds of £329.0 million. For the 12 months ended 31 March 1999, Energis reported a loss of £30.3 million. For further details contact: Contact National Grid +44 (0) 171 620 9191 Stephen Box Jill Sherratt (mobile 0468 490807) N M Rothschild & Sons Limited +44 (0) 171 280 5000 Nicholas Wrigley Marc Middleton ABN AMRO Rothschild +44 (0) 171 678 1222 Matthew Westerman Citigate Dewe Rogerson +44 (0) 171 638 9571 Anthony Carlisle (mobile 0973 611888) This announcement is not an offer of securities in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan or any other jurisdiction. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. Copies of this announcement are not being and should not be distributed or sent in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The making of the offer in, or to residents or citizens of, certain jurisdictions ('Foreign Shareholders') may be restricted by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions. Foreign shareholders should inform themselves about and observe any such applicable legal requirements in their respective jurisdictions.
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