Direct Energy Announces Partnership with MPOWERD to Distribute Luci Inflatable Solar Lights

Houston, TX (June 7, 2016) - Direct Energy®, has announced a new program that will empower the lives of 1.5 billion people living without electricity in developing countries through a buy-one-give-one campaign with B Corp company MPOWERD for new customers. Each time a customer signs up for a new energy plan, they will receive an inflatable, solar Luci® light and one will be donated on their behalf to someone who lives without electricity.

MPOWERD's non-profit community partners distribute the lights to people in need in countries including Kenya, Haiti, Nepal and the Philippines. The lights enable people to continue their day past sunset, so children can study, entrepreneurs can keep working, and health clinics can stay open.

"The Luci light is a wonderful example of how energy innovations are changing the world," said Manu Asthana, president of Direct Energy Home. "We are happy to partner with such a worthy organization that is innovating the way energy is used around the world. We hope this partnership helps not only bring safe, clean light to those in need, but helps connect our customers to a very worthy cause."

Created by MPOWERD, Luci lights were developed with the goal of making an affordable clean energy product that people could use in any situation. Using only solar power, Luci lights can brighten a room for up to 12 hours after charging in the sun for 8 hours. Stored flat at one-inch in thickness, it can be inflated to 4 inches in height. Luci lights have been highlighted by many publications, were a feature device at CES 2015, and have demonstrated significant growth organically both domestically and internationally.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to bring additional benefits to potential customers and to those in need," said Cullen Hay, General Manager - U.S. Energy, Direct Energy. "As a company, we bring value to our customers in all our offerings and we are thrilled to partner with MPOWERD."

"Direct Energy has proven that it is the type of company that cares," said John Salzinger, Co-founder, CBDO – MPOWERD Inc. "They have raised awareness and taken a meaningful position in contributing to those without access to clean energy through our Give Program."

To learn more about this program, please visit www.directenergy.com/givebrighter.

About Direct Energy:

Direct Energy is a leading energy and energy-related services provider with nearly five million residential and commercial customers in North America. 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 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, please visit www.directenergy.com.

About MPOWERD:

MPOWERD is a New York City-based B Corp that works hard every day to make clean energy products that are affordable, easy to use and good for the earth - that's why they created Luci inflatable solar lights. MPOWERD wants to empower the 1.5 billion people in low-income countries still living without electricity by delivering Luci lights at prices they can afford. The more lights sold, the greater the impact, so every purchase makes a difference. www.mpowerd.com.

For further information, please contact:
Melissa Hand
Direct Energy
(713)877-5744
melissa.hand@directenergy.com