Annual Parade Kicks Off Holiday Season In Abilene

Abilene, Texas (11/21/2011) - It's the season to give and WTU Retail Energy is doing it again in a big way, just in time for Christmas. For the third year, WTU is giving one lucky person a year of free electricity.

That's a total value of up to $3,000! The winner will be announced on November 29th during the KTXS Christmas Lights Parade. The event is the feature event at the annual City Sidewalks Celebration held in downtown Abilene the Tuesday after Thanksgiving Day.

The KTXS Christmas Lights Parade kicks off the holiday season in Abilene. WTU Retail Electricity is proud to be a major sponsor of the parade for the 4th straight year.

"This parade has become an important tradition to thousands of families in Abilene so it was important for us to be involved," said Jim Steffes, Vice President and General Manager of WTU Retail Energy. "Watching the culmination of weeks of hard work from these organizations as they construct their floats and seeing families enjoy the festivities is what the holiday season is about. It's about coming together in merriment, giving of ourselves and feeling grateful for our blessings."

KTXS News anchors the free event and it is estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people attend each year with thousands more watching from home. Last year, more than 100 lighted floats constructed by local children's schools, Scout troops and other non-profit organizations paraded through downtown Abilene in a massive parade of lights.

About WTU Retail Energy

WTU Retail Energy is part of the Direct Energy family of companies, one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with over 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy with its CPL Retail Energy and WTU Retail Energy brands, is the third-largest retail electricity provider in Texas. It owns three power generation facilities and a series of energy related services companies. WTU Retail 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 states and 10 provinces in Canada. For more information visit www.wturetailenergy.com.