SHANGHAI, CHINA - (August 13, 2003) Yesterday the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $376,320 feasibility study grant to the Shanghai Municipal Electric Power Company (SMEPC). The study will examine the SMEPC distribution systems, determine the technical enhancements needed to improve quality and reliability, and provide an implementation plan. Mr. John Hoover, Acting Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai, and Mr. Shuai Junqing, Deputy General Manager of SMEPC, signed an agreement conferring the grant. EPRI PEAC Corporation of Knoxville, Tennessee, will conduct the study and contribute funds toward the cost of its completion.

As Shanghai continues to grow, the need for reliable electric power is critical. The municipality was chosen to host EXPO 2010, which will bring significant investment to the area. In turn, this will create greater demand for dependable electric power. Additionally, the municipality is nearing completion on its Maglev train, which will connect Shanghai's Pudong airport to the city center. When completed, train operations will utilize significant power resources that will need to be taken into account as upgrades and improvements to the municipality's power network are considered.

Shanghai plans to spend $240-300 million over the next five years on power grid enhancements. By upgrading supply reliability and voltage quality, SMPEC is seeking to implement a state-of-the-art urban power grid constructed to international standards. The USTDA grant awarded today will fund a study that will assist SMEPC with product and vendor identification efforts. In addition, the study will assess the reliability of the current distribution system and power quality.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

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