Direct Energy Adding Jobs In Pennsylvania, Increasing Economic Impact

Pittsburgh, PA (2/1/2011) - Direct Energy, North America's largest competitive energy and services' company, is hiring and growing. The Company is currently looking to fill approximately 70 positions, the majority of whom will be based in Pittsburgh, and is adding over 9,100 square feet to its offices in Liberty Center to accommodate the growth.

Since Direct Energy Business made the decision in 2009 to establish its North American headquarters in Pittsburgh, the Company has seen its work force grow by over 100 people. "Pittsburgh is quickly becoming one of the nation's energy hubs," said Direct Energy Business President, Maura Clark. "We had confidence that the strong talent pool here in Pittsburgh would enable us to build a best in business organization, and that has proven itself to be true."

Direct Energy Residential, a sister division to Direct Energy Business, has established the headquarters for its Northeast division in Pittsburgh, representing 30 additional jobs. The Residential team is looking to expand rapidly as homeowners see the value of purchasing their energy from a retail energy provider.

Direct Energy Residential Vice President, Cory Byzewski, noted: "Moving our residential energy business for the Northeast to Pittsburgh seemed an obvious move and a good one, working alongside the folks who have established a great place to work here in Liberty Center. We've got big plans to grow our residential business this year and a lot of work to do to make it happen, so being together as one team in our new offices is a great start." Byzewski credits the regulatory and legislative environment for fostering robust competitive electricity and natural gas markets, which has allowed the company to invest its capital, and locate significant numbers of employees, in the state.

Direct Energy's Residential and Business groups have over 320 employees in Pennsylvania. In 2009, Direct Energy Business located its North American headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. More recently, Direct Energy acquired Clockwork Home Services in June 2010, which has 29 small businesses in the state, employing approximately 215 people, and its affinity group members employ another 314 people throughout Pennsylvania.

Direct Energy is committed to Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania. As a significant employer in Pittsburgh, Direct Energy estimates its annual economic impact at over $45 million, based on the salaries, taxes and community investment funds paid in the region. The Company is active with charitable organizations and its employees provided over 4,000 hours of community volunteering in 2010 across the Commonwealth.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with more than 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE:CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada.

For further information, please contact:

Bethany Ruhe
Manager, Public Relations
Direct Energy Business
1-412-667-5616 (office)
1-412-841-3818 (mobile)
Bethany.ruhe@directenergy.com