NEES 3rd Quarter Earnings

NATIONAL GRID GROUP PLC
18 October 1999



NEES ANNOUNCES EARNINGS FOR THIRD QUARTER ENDING 30
SEPTEMBER 1999

New England Electric System ('NEES') on Friday 15 October
1999 announced earnings for the third quarter to 30
September 1999.  Copies of their announcement are
available from The National Grid Group ('National Grid')
Investor Relations on [phone]

National Grid and NEES announced on 14 December 1998 the
signing of a Merger  Agreement under which National Grid
will acquire all of the outstanding shares of NEES.