Taking the Guess Work out of Global Adjustment

Toronto, ON (10/17/2011) - Direct Energy Business, one of North America's largest commercial and industrial retail energy providers, is announcing the release of PowerAssure™, a new limited time offering for Ontario businesses and organizations only.

The variability of the Global Adjustment (GA) makes it a complex process to accurately forecast yearly spend and energy experts are estimating it is going to continue to increase in the future*. PowerAssure works to mitigate the uncertainty around monthly energy bills for businesses and organizations created by the Global Adjustment; it helps takes the guesswork out of their energy operational budget.

With PowerAssure™, customers' electricity supply will be billed at the Hourly Ontario Energy Price, plus the Global Adjustment, with a cap on the total sum of the two. While the market price (HOEP) and the GA are dynamic, this product allows you to realize the benefits of market lows, while ensuring that you'll never pay more for your power over the course of your contract than the capped price.

"PowerAssure™ offers you the flexibility to pursue competitive pricing on the wholesale market, with the added protection of a capped maximum annual price per kWh, for the term of one year", said Murray Skinner, Canadian Sales Manager, Direct Energy Business. "PowerAssure™ allows you to benefit when market conditions are advantageous, instead of being locked in at a fixed price."

At the end of a contract year, a Direct Energy Business Product Analyst will perform an analysis for your business to calculate your annualized weighted average of the HOEP plus GA unit rate. Depending on the results of this analysis you'll receive a credit if your price is above your cap, or if it is below your cap you will receive an analysis that shows the benefits.

* Forecasting and estimates are compiled by independent consulting firms who base their information and analyses on data published by the Ontario Power Authority ("OPA"), the Independent Electricity System Operator ("IESO"), Ontario electricity distributors, and rate case filings with the OEB made by generators in the province.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with more than six 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 ten provinces in Canada.

For additional information, contact:

Emily Richardson
Direct Energy
1-416-758-8979
Emily.Richardson@directenergy.com