Nord Pool ASA has received a request from Elkem asking to be granted a temporary pause from their market making obligations in the financial electricity market. Lysaker, 18 April 2007 Nord Pool has granted Elkem's request with immediate effect. Elkem will at the latest recommence their market making obligations 1 September 2007. For further information, please contact Nord Pool ASA: Marianne W. Jenssen, senior vice president, financial market, phone: +47 67 52 80 76/+47 90 13 68 53 Georg Aasen, head of market place, financial market, phone +47 67 52 80 24