Press Release
Arnhem, the Netherlands, 31 May 2007

Essent completes takeover of Westland

Essent has completed its takeover of Westland Energie Services (WES), the Dutch energy company. Essent announced on 31st May, however, that the takeover would not affect services to Westland and HortiMaX clients.

Essent revealed earlier this year that it had acquired WES, which specializes in supplying energy to the horticultural industry, from the Dutch municipalities of Westland and Midden-Delfland for a sum of EUR 90 million. Based on the figures of 2006, WES and its subsidiaries HortiMaX and VEK generated a joint turnover of approximately EUR 700 million.