Long-distance Telecoms Licence Awarded in Poland

National Grid Group PLC
Energis PLC
27 January 2000


Joint announcement by The National Grid Group plc and Energis plc


NATIONAL GRID AND ENERGIS AWARDED LONG-DISTANCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS LICENCE IN 
                                    POLAND                                    

The  National  Grid  Group  plc (National Grid)  and  Energis  plc  (Energis)
announce  that  they  have  been  notified  that  they  will  be  awarded   a
telecommunications licence as part of a consortium, NG Koleje Telekomunikacja
(NGKT), to provide competitive, domestic long-distance, telephony services in
Poland.  National Grid and Energis each hold a 23.75 per cent stake in  NGKT.
Polskie  Koleje Panstwowe (PKP - the Polish Railway Company) holds  42.5  per
cent and Poland Telecoms Operator (PTO) holds 10 per cent.

The  consortium  plans to lease 5,000kms of dark fibre from PKP  to  build  a
state-of-the-art communications network that will initially link  12  cities.
Commercial operations are scheduled to start in the summer of 2000.

Commenting  on  the deal, David Jones, Group Chief Executive,  National  Grid
said:

    'We  are  delighted to have won this telecoms licence in Poland which  is
     moving   towards   full  telecoms  liberalisation  and  European   Union
     membership.   The consortium combines our strengths in telecoms  network
     development  with Energis  operational and marketing expertise  and  the
     local knowledge of our Polish partners.
    
     This  is  another  opportunity for us to build on  the  skills  which  
     we developed  in  creating  Energis.  And it takes advantage  of  our    
     more recent experience in Brazil where Intelig successfully launched     
     telecoms services this month.'
    
Mike Grabiner, Chief Executive, Energis plc, said:

     'The  Polish  telecoms market is rapidly developing with a fast-growing
     demand  for  both voice and data services.  This is a highly  attractive
     environment  in  which we can leverage our proven  network  and  service
     skills.  It also puts in place a further piece of our expanding European
     strategy.'
     
Contact:

National Grid Investor Relations
Jill Sherratt                                [phone]
                                   Mobile:   [phone]
Diane Boddy                                  [phone]
Elizabeth Ross-Roberts                       [phone]

Energis Investor Relations
Annie Jupp                                   [phone]
Tracey Lambert                               [phone]

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Anthony Carlisle                             [phone]
                                   Mobile:   [phone]
Duncan Murray                                [phone]
Sue Pemberton                                [phone]