* Aggreko supplies 4.5MW temporary power package during construction of the Palm Island development in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

* Package provides power for various construction applications including site offices and the operation of ground compaction equipment

* A multi-billion dollar development project by Dubai development company, Nakheel, Palm Island is one of the several mega projects in Dubai aimed at diversifying the economic base by expanding the tourism industry.

Dubai - 12th October, 2004. Aggreko plc, global leader in providing temporary power and temperature control services today announced it has been contracted to supply a 4.5MW temporary power and lighting package during construction of Palm Island, Jumeirah; a multi-billion dollar development project from Dubai development company, Nakheel.

Phase one construction began on The Palm in June 2001 and sand fill reclaimed from the sea was used to create the foundation. Reclamation work was complete at the end of 2003 and the island now resembles the shape of a palm tree with a series of 5 kilometre long crescent shaped 'fronds' extending off the central 'trunk'. The project is scheduled to welcome the first of its residents in early 2006.

Unable to access the electrical grid during construction of the island, contractors, Keller Grundbau, a leading ground engineering specialist and NSCC-SBF JV, a joint venture between UAE based ground engineering company, National Services and Contracting (NSCC) and Soletanche Bachy, required a secure, reliable and portable temporary source of power.

Aggreko supplied a 2.4MW power package for Keller to operate ground compaction equipment in a technique known as 'vibro compaction'. To achieve the required bearing capacity within the reclaimed fill, a grid of dense columns was created using a giant vibrating poker.

Another 2.1MW power package was supplied to NSCC - SBF JV to operate a Bentonite (a type of clay used in cement) plant as well as power for a number of site offices. Both packages were installed, serviced and maintained by specialist Aggreko engineers available 24/7. 

Palm Island is one of several mega projects in Dubai aimed at diversifying the economic base by expanding the tourism industry. The government of Dubai predicts that tourism will quadruple to 15 million visitors annually by 2010.

Khalid bin Sulayem, head of Dubai's tourism board, said the project would elevate Dubai "from regional players to leaders in tourism development who focus on modernising and expanding tourism infrastructure to attract more tourists."

Once complete the Palm Island resort will have approximately 1200 single-family residences each with private beachfront, 600 multi-family residences, an aquatic theme park, shopping centres, cinemas, luxurious hotels and leisure facilities including a diving club.

-Ends-

Editors Notes
Nakheel's portfolio currently includes The Palm, The World, Jumeirah Islands, The Gardens, The Gardens Shopping Mall, Jumeirah Lake Towers, International City and Discovery Gardens.

Aggreko is the world leader in providing cost effective temporary power and temperature control solutions. Aggreko power generation services include generators, loadbanks, transformers and ancillary products offering power from 15 kVA in a single unit to the design, installation and operation of complete multi-megawatt power packages.  Aggreko temperature control services include fluid chillers, heavy-duty air conditioners, heat exchangers and ancillary products for a wide range of industrial and commercial cooling applications.

Aggreko provides 24-hour availability and service support through a network of over 120 service locations in 28 countries. 

Press Contacts
Kirsten Campbell-Morris,
NettResults Management Consultancy
PO Box 72587,
Dubai,
United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 331 1593
Fax: +971 4 331 1562
Web: http://www.nettresults.com/

Julian Ford, Aggreko International
PO Box 17576,
Jebel Ali,
United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 883 4059
Fax: +971 4 883 5404

© Press Release 2004