Lysaker, 23 April 2008 Nord Pool has received the following information from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE): The NordNed-cable currently being tested The fault on the NordNed-cable, connecting the Nordic and Dutch power markets, is now repaired. In week 16, the cable was tested in both directions and with varied effect. When the cable will be operative and available for the market depends on results of further testing. Preliminary assumed initialization is the second week of May. The cable will increase transmission capacity from southern Norway. The capacities on the current cables to Sweden and Denmark are still reduced and are expected to maintain reduced throughout the summer. Limited export capacities in combination with a hydrological surplus has contributed to lower power prices in the south of Norway compared to the other Nordic elspot areas. During the latest three weeks there has been close to full utilization of the available export capacities from South Norway. The Norwegian reservoir level was 37.3 percent at the end of week 16. During the week the reservoir level dropped by 2.5 percentage points. The reservoir level is now 2.6 percentage points over the median level. http://www.statnett.no Prognosis from Statnett>> ------------------------------- Contact person at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate: Marit L. Fossdal, NVE, phone: +47 2295 9353 Tor Arnt Johnsen, NVE, phone: +47 9302 4238 Nils Spjeldnæs, NVE, phone: +47 2295 9274