Document:

Exhibit 10.27b

                                 FIRST AMENDMENT
                                     TO THE
                            UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                    EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM

1.   Effective as of January 24, 2005, Section VI C. of the Program is amended
as follows to increase up to 200% from 150% the maximum payout for achievement
of Performance Goals at the maximum level or higher with respect to awards made
in 2005 and thereafter:

     C.   Each Goal will have associated with it a range of performance as
          shall be approved by the Committee. The range of performance will be
          used to determine the percent of the Participant's Target Incentive
          Award earned for each Goal, known as the Percent of the Participant's
          Target Incentive Award Earned.

          A Threshold, Target and Maximum Level of Performance for each Goal
          shall be established by the Committee. For performance below the
          Threshold or minimum level, the Incentive Award shall be zero unless,
          in the sole discretion of the Committee, extenuating factors exist
          which would dictate otherwise.

          The Percent of the Participant's Target Incentive Award Earned for
          each Goal shall be established based on the Level of Performance
          achieved for that Goal.

          The relationship of the range of performance to the percent of the
          Target Incentive Award Earned is as follows:

                                                      Percent of Target
           Range of Performance                    Incentive Award Earned
           --------------------                    ----------------------

           Less than Threshold                              None
           Threshold                                  no less than 50%
           Target                                           100%
           Maximum or higher                             up to 200%

All other provisions of the Program shall remain in effect.

                                       UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                                       Dated: January 24, 2005

                                     By      /s/ Nathaniel D. Woodson
                                       ------------------------------------
                                                Nathaniel D. Woodson,
                                          UIL Chairman, President and CEOExhibit 10.28

                            UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                           PERFORMANCE SHARE AGREEMENT
                                       FOR
                            ANNUAL PERFORMANCE SHARES
                                 (INITIAL GRANT)

         THIS AWARD AGREEMENT (the "Award Agreement"), made as of ____________,
by and between UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION, a Connecticut corporation, having its
principal place of business in New Haven, Connecticut (the "Company" or "UIL"),
and ___________ (the "Executive").

         WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the UIL Holdings Corporation UIL Long
Term Incentive Program ("UIL LTIP"), a copy of which is annexed hereto, pursuant
to the terms of UIL Holdings Corporation 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Plan
(the "1999 Plan");

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the UIL LTIP, and the 1999 Plan, the
Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Company's Board of
Directors (the "CEDC") has granted to the Executive an Award of Performance
Shares; and

         WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive wish to evidence the terms and
conditions governing the Performance Shares in this Award Agreement;

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises
hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the
parties hereto mutually covenant and agree as follows:

1.Grant of Performance Shares. The CEDC hereby awards to the Executive the
  ---------------------------
  Performance Shares described below. Payment of the Performance Shares
  hereunder is dependent upon the achievement of the Performance Goals
  described   in Section 2 of this Award Agreement and shall be made pursuant
  to the terms   of the UIL LTIP. The actual number of Performance Shares
  finally awarded to   the Executive, if any, shall be determined by the CEDC,
  in accordance with the   terms and conditions of the UIL LTIP, and its
  determination shall be  conclusive and binding.

  1.1. UI Performance Shares. The CEDC hereby makes an award to the Executive
       ---------------------
  of ___ Performance Shares, payment of which is dependent upon the achievement
  by The United Illuminating Company ("UI"), at 100% of `target', of certain UI
  Performance Goals more fully described in Section 2.1 of this Award Agreement
  and under the terms of the UIL LTIP, with a maximum award of up to ____
  Performance Shares possible based upon the achievement of the UI Performance
  Goals at or above the designated maximum levels. The Performance Shares
  awarded pursuant to this Section 1.1 shall be referred to herein as the "UI
  Performance Shares."

  1.2. Xcelecom Performance Shares. The CEDC hereby makes an award to the
       ---------------------------
  Executive of ____ Performance Shares, payment of which is dependent upon the
  achievement by Xcelecom, Inc. ("Xcelecom"), at 100% of `target', of certain
  Xcelecom Performance Goals more fully described in Section 2.2 of this Award
  Agreement and under the terms of the UIL LTIP, with a maximum award of up to
  ____ Performance Shares possible based upon the achievement of the Xcelecom
  Performance Goals at or above the designated maximum levels. The Performance
  Shares awarded pursuant to this Section 1.2 shall be referred to herein as
  the "Xcelecom Performance Shares."

2.Performance Goals. The final number of UI Performance Shares and Xcelecom
  -----------------
  Performance Shares (collectively, the "Performance Shares") to be awarded to
  the Executive (the "Final Payout"), if any, under this Award Agreement shall
  be determined based upon the achievement by UI and Xcelecom, respectively, of
  the UI and Xcelecom Performance Goals described below for the period
  extending   from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2006 (the "Performance
  Period").

  2.1. UI Performance Goals. The Final Payout, if any, of the UI Performance
       --------------------
  Shares shall be determined based on the average annual return on equity
  ("ROE") achieved during the Performance Period compared against the target
  annual ROE percentage established for the Performance Period with respect to

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  particular elements (e.g., transmission, distribution, CTA) of UI's business
  as more fully set forth in the UI Long Term Incentive Program design document
  (the "UI LTIP") approved by the CEDC (the "UI Performance Goals"). In
  accordance with the UI LTIP, ____ Performance Shares (50% of the target
  number) will be earned if the "threshold" level of performance is achieved,
  ____ Performance Shares will be earned if the "target" level of performance
  is achieved, ____ Performance Shares (150% of the target number) will be
  earned if the "maximum" level of performance is achieved, with interpolation
  if performance falls between threshold and target or between target and
  maximum.  The actual number of UI Performance Shares finally awarded to the
  Executive, if any, shall be determined by the CEDC, in accordance with the
  terms and conditions of the UIL LTIP, the UI LTIP and the 1999 Plan.

  2.2. Xcelecom Performance Goals. The Final Payout, if any of the Xcelecom
       --------------------------
  Performance Shares shall be determined based on the percentile ranking
  achieved by Xcelecom, with respect to two equally weighted performance
  measures, namely, Pre-tax Income as a Percent of Sales and Free Cash flow as
  a Percent of Sales, as compared against the established group of comparable
  companies for the Performance Period as more fully set forth in the Xcelecom
  Long Term Incentive Program design document (the "Xcelecom LTIP") approved by
  the CEDC on May 10, 2004 (the "Xcelecom Performance Goals"). No Performance
  Shares (0% of the target number) will be earned if the "threshold" level of
  performance is achieved, ____ Performance Shares will be earned if the
  "target" level of performance is achieved, ____ Performance Shares (200% of
  the target number) will be earned if the "maximum" level of performance is
  achieved, with interpolation if performance falls between threshold and
  target or between target and maximum, based on the quartile results of the
  different performance measures and providing equal weight to each measure.
  The actual number of Xcelecom Performance Shares finally awarded to the
  Executive, if any, shall be determined by the CEDC, in accordance with the
  terms and conditions of the UIL LTIP, the Xcelecom LTIP and the 1999 Plan.

3.Vesting. Except as otherwise provided in this Section or Sections 4, 5 and 6
  -------
  of this Award Agreement, the Executive must remain continuously employed by
  the Company (or one of its subsidiaries) at all times during the Performance
  Period to earn any Performance Shares under this Award Agreement.

  3.1. If the Executive remains continuously employed by the Company (or one of
  its subsidiaries) through December 31, 2006, and no Change in Control has
  occurred by that date, then the Executive shall fully vest in her Performance
  Shares as of the last day of the Performance Period.

  3.2. If the Executive's employment with the Company (or one of its
  subsidiaries) terminates prior to December 31, 2006 due to her death,
  Disability or retirement on or after either (i) having reached age 62 1/2 and
  completing at least 5 years of service, or (ii) having reached age 55 and
  completing at least 10 years of service under the UI Pension Plan or any
  successor or replacement plan (the "the UI Pension Plan") and prior to a
  Change in Control, then solely for purposes of this Award Agreement, the
  Executive shall be deemed to have been continuously employed by the Company
  (or one of its subsidiaries) throughout the duration of the Performance
  Period, and, provided that the Executive complies with the provisions of
  Sections 10 (Confidential Information) and 11 (Non-competition) of her
  Employment Agreement (or any successor provisions thereto), she shall fully
  vest in her Performance Shares as of the last day of the Performance Period.

  3.3. If the Executive's employment with the Company or one of its
  subsidiaries terminates prior to December 31, 2006 for any reason other than
  her death, Disability or retirement on or after either (i) having reached
  age 62 1/2 and completing at least 5 years of service, or (ii) having reached
  age 55 and completing at least 10 years of service under the UI Pension Plan,
  and no CIC has occurred by that date, the Executive shall forfeit the right
  to receive any Performance Shares under this Award Agreement and the Award
  Agreement shall be cancelled as of the date of such termination.

4.Change in Control of UIL.
  -------------------------

  4.1. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the
  event of a Change in Control of the Company during the Performance Period,
  upon the applicable CIC Vesting Date, the Executive shall be deemed to have
  earned, and will have a vested right to receive, at such time as determined
  pursuant to Section 7, a number of Performance Shares determined in
  accordance with this Section 4, provided that

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  she is continuously employed by the Company (or one of its subsidiaries) at
  all times from May 10, 2004 through the applicable CIC Vesting Date.

  4.1.1. If, following a Change in Control of the Company, and prior to the
  applicable CIC Vesting Date, the Executive's employment with the Company (or
  one of its subsidiaries) terminates due to her death, Disability or
  retirement on or after either (i) having reached age 62 1/2 and completing at
  least 5 years of service, or (ii) having reached age 55 and completing at
  least 10 years of service under the UI Pension Plan, then solely for purposes
  of this Award Agreement, the Executive shall be deemed to have been
  continuously employed by the Company (or one of its subsidiaries) at all
  times from ________________ through the applicable CIC Vesting Date.

  4.1.2. If, following a Change in Control of the Company, and prior to the
  applicable CIC Vesting Date, the Executive's employment with the Company (or
  one of its subsidiaries) is terminated for any reason other than (a) her
  death, Disability or retirement on or after either (i) having reached age 62
  1/2 and completing at least 5 years of service, or (ii) having reached age 55
  and completing at least 10 years of service under the UI Pension Plan, (b) by
  the Company without Cause, or (c) by the Executive due to a Breach by the
  Company, the Executive shall forfeit the right to receive any Performance
  Shares under this Award Agreement and the Award Agreement shall be cancelled
  as of the date of such termination.

  4.2. The number of Performance Shares payable to the Executive following the
  occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company during the Performance
  Period, and subject to the continuous employment requirement of Section 4.1,
  shall be determined by the CEDC as soon as reasonably possible following the
  applicable CIC Vesting Date, in accordance with this Section 4.2.

  4.2.1. Pre-CIC Performance. The number of Performance Shares payable to the
         -------------------
  Executive with respect to the period commencing on January 1, 2004 and ending
  on the date of the Change in Control (the "Pre-CIC Performance Period") shall
  be determined as follows:

  4.2.1.1. The CEDC shall determine the extent of achievement of the UI
  Performance Goals and Xcelecom Performance Goals for the Pre-CIC Performance
  Period in accordance with Section 2 of this Agreement. The actual extent of
  achievement for the Pre-CIC Performance Period shall be compared to the
  applicable UI Performance Goals and Xcelecom Performance Goals for the
  Performance Period (adjusted to the extent necessary to measure performance
  over only the Pre-CIC Performance Period) and the CEDC shall determine a base
  number of UI Performance Shares and Xcelecom Performance Shares relative to
  such comparisons in accordance with Section 2.

  4.2.1.2. The total number of Performance Shares payable to the Executive for
  the Pre-CIC Performance Period will equal (a) the sum of the base number of
  UI Performance Shares plus the base number of Xcelecom Performance Shares
  determined under Section 4.2.1.1, multiplied by (b) a fraction having a
  numerator equal to the number of calendar days elapsed from January 1, 2004
  through and including the date of the Change in Control, and a denominator
  equal to 1096.

  4.2.2. Post-CIC Performance. The number of Performance Shares payable to the
         --------------------
  Executive with respect to the period commencing on the date of the Change in
  Control and ending on December 31, 2006, shall equal (a) ____ multiplied by
  (b) a fraction having a numerator equal to the number of calendar days
  elapsed from the date of the Change in Control of the Company through, and
  including, December 31, 2006, and a denominator equal to 1096. The Executive
  shall be entitled to the number of Performance Shares determined pursuant to
  this Section 4.2.2 even if the applicable CIC Vesting Date occurs prior to
  December 31, 2006.

  4.3. Notwithstanding any provision of this Award Agreement to the contrary, in
  the event of a UI Change in Control (as defined in Section 5.1) or an Xcelecom
  Change in Control (as defined in Section 6.1) prior to the occurrence of a
  Change in Control of the Company (i.e., UIL), the UI Performance Shares and/or
  Xcelecom Performance Shares, as applicable, shall be disregarded for purposes
  of this Section 4, and the payment of such UI Performance Shares and/or
  Xcelecom Performance Shares shall be made pursuant to Section 5 and/or Section
  6 of this Award Agreement, as applicable.

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<PAGE>

5. Change in Control of UI.
   ------------------------

  5.1. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the
  event of a Change in Control of UI during the Performance Period and prior to
  a Change in Control of the Company (a "UI Change in Control"), upon the
  applicable CIC Vesting Date, the Executive shall be deemed to have earned,
  and will have a vested right to receive, at such time as determined pursuant
  to Section 7, a number of UI Performance Shares determined in accordance with
  this Section 5, provided that she is continuously employed by the Company (or
  one of its subsidiaries) at all times from ________________ through the
  applicable CIC Vesting Date.

  5.1.1. If, following a UI Change in Control, and prior to the applicable CIC
  Vesting Date, the Executive's employment with the Company (or one of its
  subsidiaries) terminates due to her death, Disability or retirement on or
  after either (i) having reached age 62 1/2 and completing at least 5 years of
  service, or (ii) having reached age 55 and completing at least 10 years of
  service under the UI Pension Plan, then solely for purposes of this Award
  Agreement, the Executive shall be deemed to have been continuously employed
  by the Company (or one of its subsidiaries) at all times from ______________
  through the applicable CIC Vesting Date.

  5.1.2. If, following a UI Change in Control, and prior to the applicable CIC
  Vesting Date, the Executive's employment with the Company (or one of its
  subsidiaries) is terminated for any reason other than (a) her death,
  Disability or retirement on or after either (i) having reached age 62 1/2 and
  completing at least 5 years of service, or (ii) having reached age 55 and
  completing at least 10 years of service under the UI Pension Plan, (b) by the
  Company without Cause, or (c) by the Executive due to a Breach by the
  Company,the Executive shall forfeit the right to receive any Performance
  Shares under this Award Agreement and the Award Agreement shall be cancelled
  as of the date of such termination.

  5.2. The number of UI Performance Shares payable to the Executive following
  the occurrence of a UI Change in Control, and subject to the continuous
  employment requirement of Section 5.1, shall be determined by the CEDC as
  soon as reasonably possible following the applicable CIC Vesting Date, in
  accordance with this Section 5.2.

  5.2.1. Pre-CIC Performance. The number of UI Performance Shares payable to
         -------------------
  the Executive with respect to the period commencing on January 1, 2004 and
  ending on the date of the UI Change in Control (the "UI Pre-CIC Performance
  Period") shall be determined as follows:

  5.2.1.1. The CEDC shall determine the extent of achievement of the UI
  Performance Goals for the UI Pre-CIC Performance Period in accordance with
  Section 2 of this Agreement. The actual extent of achievement of the UI
  Performance Goals for the UI Pre-CIC Performance Period shall be compared to
  the applicable UI Performance Goals (adjusted to the extent necessary to
  measure performance over only the Pre-CIC Performance Period) for the
  Performance Period and the CEDC shall determine a base number of UI
  Performance Shares relative to such comparison in accordance with Section 2.1.

  5.2.1.2. The total number of UI Performance Shares payable to the Executive
  for the UI Pre-CIC Performance Period will equal (a) the base number of UI
  Performance Shares determined under Section 5.2.1.1, multiplied by (b) a
  fraction having a numerator equal to the number of calendar days elapsed from
  January 1, 2004 through and including the date of a UI Change in Control, and
  a denominator equal to 1096.

  5.2.2. Post-CIC Performance. The number of UI Performance Shares payable to
         --------------------
  the Executive with respect to the period commencing on the date of the UI
  Change in Control and ending on December 31, 2006, shall equal (a) ____,
  multiplied by (b) a fraction having a numerator equal to the number of
  calendar days elapsed from the date of the UI Change in Control through, and
  including, December 31, 2006, and a denominator equal to 1096. The Executive
  shall be entitled to the number of UI Performance Shares determined pursuant
  to this Section 5.2.2 even if the applicable CIC Vesting Date occurs prior to
  December 31, 2006.

  5.3. The occurrence of a UI Change in Control shall have no effect on the
  Xcelecom Performance Shares awarded under this Award Agreement, and the
  determination of the Final Payout, if any, of such Xcelecom Performance
  Shares shall continue to be determined in accordance with this Award
  Agreement.

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6. Change in Control of Xcelecom.
   -----------------------------

  6.1. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the
  event of a Change in Control of Xcelecom during the Performance Period and
  prior to a Change in Control of the Company (an "Xcelecom Change in Control"),
  upon the applicable CIC Vesting Date, the Executive shall be deemed to have
  earned, and will have a vested right to receive, at such time as determined
  pursuant to Section 7, a number of Xcelecom Performance Shares determined in
  accordance with this Section 6, provided that she is continuously employed by
  the Company (or one of its subsidiaries) at all times from ________________4
  through the applicable CIC Vesting Date.

  6.1.1. If, following an Xcelecom Change in Control, and prior to the
  applicable CIC Vesting Date, the Executive's employment with the Company
  (or one of its subsidiaries) terminates due to her death, Disability or
  retirement on or after either (i) having reached age 62 1/2 and completing at
  least 5 years of service, or (ii) having reached age 55 and completing at
  least 10 years of service under the UI Pension Plan, then solely for purposes
  of this Award Agreement, the Executive shall be deemed to have been
  continuously employed by the Company (or one of its subsidiaries) at all
  times from ____________________ through the applicable CIC Vesting Date.

  6.1.2. If, following an Xcelecom Change in Control, and prior to the
  applicable CIC Vesting Date, the Executive's employment with the Company
  (or one of its subsidiaries) is terminated for any reason other than (a)
  her death, Disability or retirement on or after either (i) having reached age
  62 1/2 and completing at least 5 years of service, or (ii) having reached age
  55 and completing at least 10 years of service under the UI Pension Plan,
  (b) by the Company without Cause, or (c) by the Executive due to a Breach by
  the Company, the Executive shall forfeit the right to receive any Performance
  Shares under this Award Agreement and the Award Agreement shall be cancelled
  as of the date of such termination.

  6.2. The number of Xcelecom Performance Shares payable to the Executive
  following the occurrence of an Xcelecom Change in Control, and subject to the
  continuous employment requirement of Section 6.1, shall be determined by the
  CEDC as soon as reasonably possible following the applicable CIC Vesting Date,
  in accordance with this Section 6.2.

  6.2.1. Pre-CIC Performance. The number of Xcelecom Performance Shares payable
         -------------------
  to the Executive with respect to the period commencing on January 1, 2004 and
  ending on the date of the Xcelecom Change in Control (the "Xcelecom Pre-CIC
  Performance Period") shall be determined as follows:

  6.2.1.1. The CEDC shall determine the extent of achievement of the Xcelecom
  Performance Goals for the Xcelecom Pre-CIC Performance Period in accordance
  with Section 2 of this Agreement. The actual extent of achievement of the
  Xcelecom Performance Goals for the Xcelecom Pre-CIC Performance Period shall
  be compared to the applicable Xcelecom Performance Goals for the entire
  Performance Period and the CEDC shall determine a base number of Xcelecom
  Performance Shares relative to such comparison in accordance with Section 2.2.

  6.2.1.2. The total number of Xcelecom Performance Shares payable to the
  Executive for the Xcelecom Pre-CIC Performance Period will equal (a) the base
  number of Xcelecom Performance Shares determined under Section 6.2.1.1,
  multiplied by (b) a fraction having a numerator equal to the number of
  calendar days elapsed from January 1, 2004 through and including the date of
  the Xcelecom Change in Control, and a denominator equal to 1096.

  6.2.2. Post-CIC Performance. The number of Xcelecom Performance Shares payable
         --------------------
  to the Executive with respect to the period commencing on the date of the
  Xcelecom Change in Control and ending on December 31, 2006, shall equal (a)
  ____ multiplied by (b) a fraction having a numerator equal to the number of
  calendar days elapsed from the date of the Xcelecom Change in Control through,
  and including, December 31, 2006, and a denominator equal to 1096. The
  Executive shall be entitled to the number of Xcelecom Performance Shares
  determined pursuant to this Section 6.2.2 even if the applicable CIC Vesting
  Date occurs prior to December 31, 2006.

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<PAGE>

  6.3. The occurrence of an Xcelecom Change in Control shall have no effect on
  the UI Performance Shares awarded under this Award Agreement, and the
  determination of the Final Payout, if any, of such UI Performance Shares
  shall continue to be determined in accordance with this Award Agreement.

7.Payment of Performance Shares/Deferral.
  --------------------------------------

  7.1. The CEDC shall determine the extent of achievement of the Performance
  Goal as of each applicable Entitlement Date, and shall determine the Final
  Payout of UI Performance Shares and Xcelecom Performance Shares
  (as applicable), if any, to be made to the Executive under this Agreement.
  Such Final Payments, if any, shall be paid and settled in actual Shares of
  Company stock (at a rate of one Share for each Performance Share to be paid
  out) with such Shares to come from the 1999 Plan. In the case of any
  non-deferred Performance Shares, such payments will be made as soon as
  practicable following the CEDC's determination of the applicable number of
  Performance Shares earned by the Executive; provided, however, that (a)
  in the absence of a Change in Control, such payments shall be made no later
  than thirty (30) days following the CEDC's approval of audited financial
  results for the Performance Period, and (b) with respect to any Performance
  Shares that vest upon an applicable CIC Vesting Date, such Shares will be
  paid not later than thirty (30) days following the later of (1) the
  applicable Entitlement Date, or (2) the CEDC's approval of audited financial
  results for the applicable Pre-CIC Performance Period.

  7.2. The settlement of any Performance Shares that become payable upon or
  after the Executive's death shall be paid to the Executive's beneficiary or
  beneficiaries if any have been designated for the receipt of such Performance
  Awards ("Beneficiary" or "Beneficiaries", as applicable), otherwise to the
  legal representative of the Executive's estate.

  7.3. Notwithstanding any provision in this Award Agreement to the contrary,
  to the extent permitted by applicable law the Executive may elect to defer
  settlement of the Shares that otherwise would be payable to her in settlement
  of any Performance Shares earned hereunder in accordance with the provisions
  of the UIL Holdings Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended from
  time to time (the "Deferred Compensation Plan"), or any successor or
  substitute plan, except to the extent that the Shares would be deemed
  constructively received by the Executive (for federal income tax purposes)
  despite such deferral. The Company is authorized to withhold from the
  settlement made for any Performance Shares earned under this Award Agreement
  the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, or other
  property) of all applicable withholding taxes due in respect of the Shares
  payable in settlement of such Performance Shares, and to take such other
  action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all
  obligations for the payment of such taxes. The Company will withhold cash
  amounts payable in settlement of Performance Shares to the extent such cash
  is available to fully satisfy any mandatory withholding obligations, and will
  then withhold Shares deliverable in settlement of Performance Shares, except
  that Executive may elect, at least 90 days before the applicable withholding
  date, to pay the withholding amount that would be satisfied by withholding of
  Shares by making other arrangements satisfactory to the Company to meet the
  mandatory withholding obligations.

8.Retention of Performance Shares. All Shares paid to the Executive in
  -------------------------------
  settlement of the Performance Shares earned under this Award Agreement will
  be subject to retention requirements set forth in the UIL LTIP. Namely, the
  Executive will be required to retain ownership of a number of Shares having a
  value equal to 25% of the aggregate after-tax value of all Shares and cash
  received by her in settlement of Performance Shares under this award Agreement
  or which would have been received but for an election to defer, for a period
  of at least three years from the date she receives such Shares. For this
  purpose, after-tax value will be calculated as though no deferral took place.
  This requirement will lapse upon the Executive's retirement or termination of
  service. For purposes of this Section, all values will be determined as of
  the date the Executive receives payment of the Shares in settlement of the
  Performance Shares earned hereunder. The Company may affix a restrictive
  legend to share certificates and retain custody of share certificates to give
  effect to this restriction, and the CEDC may take into consideration any
  failure to abide by this restriction in determining future incentive awards
  and other discretionary compensation of the Executive.

9.Incorporation by Reference. This Award Agreement is subject in all respects
  --------------------------
  to the terms and provisions of the 1999 Plan and UIL LTIP (the "formal
  program documents"), all of which terms and provisions are made a part of and
  incorporated in this Award Agreement as if they were each expressly set forth
  herein.  The

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<PAGE>

  Executive hereby acknowledges receipt of a true copy of the formal program
  documents, and that she has read these documents carefully and fully
  understands their content. In the event of any conflict between the terms of
  this Award Agreement and the terms of the formal program documents, the
  formal program documents shall control.

10.Definitions. Any capitalized term not defined in this Award Agreement shall
   -----------
  have the same meaning as is ascribed thereto under the Plan. For purposes of
  this Award Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth
  below:

  10.1. "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of UIL Holdings Corporation.

  10.2. "Breach by the Company" and "Cause" shall each have the same meanings
  ascribed thereto in the Employment Agreement.

  10.3. "Change in Control" shall have the same meaning ascribed thereto in the
  UIL Holdings Corporation Change in Control Severance Plan II.

  10.4. "CIC Vesting Date" shall mean the earliest of (a) December 31, 2006,
  (b) the vesting date specified in the purchase agreement memorializing the
  transaction that will constitute a Change in Control and approved by the
  Board, or (c) the Executive's termination of employment, upon or within
  twenty-four (24) months immediately following a Change in Control, by the
  Company without Cause or by the Executive due to a Breach by the Company.

  10.5. "Disability" shall mean a disability that entitles the Executive to a
  disability pension or allowance under the Company's disability plan.

  10.6. "Employment Agreement" shall mean the Employment Agreement by and
  between the Executive and UIL Holdings Corporation, as amended from time to
  time.

  10.7. "Entitlement Date" shall mean the earlier of (a) the applicable CIC
  Vesting Date, or (b) December 31, 2006.

  10.8. "Free Cash Flow as a Percent of Sales" shall mean, with respect to each
  fiscal year in the Performance Period, net cash flow from operations of
  Xcelecom, Inc. reduced by additions to capital.

  10.9. "Performance Period" shall mean the period commencing on January 1, 2004
  and ending on December 31, 2006.

  10.10. "Pre-Tax Income as a Percent of Sales" shall mean for Xcelecom, Inc.,
  with respect to each fiscal year in the Performance Period, gross sales
  reduced by operating costs (plus extraordinary income or minority income less
  extraordinary costs) divided by total sales.

  10.11. "ROE" shall mean the amount of total equity invested in UI divided
  into UI's total net income for the year. The performance measure will be the
  average of the earned ROE achieved for each year in the three year Performance
  Period, with distinct ROE goals being established for each element of UI's
  business (e.g., distribution, transmission, CTA, etc), all in accordance with
  the UI LTIP.

  10.12. "Shares" mean shares of UIL Holdings Corporation common stock.

11.No Shareholder or Dividend Rights. Prior to the date Shares are paid in
   ---------------------------------
  settlement of any Performance Shares, the Executive will have no right to
  dividends and will have no voting or other rights on account of the
  Performance Shares awarded by this Award Agreement. The Executive's rights to
  dividend equivalents on deferred Shares, if any, will be as specified under
  the Deferred Compensation Plan.

12.Transferability. The Performance Shares
   ---------------
  awarded pursuant to this Award Agreement, and any rights or interests therein
  may not be sold, exchanged, transferred, assigned or otherwise disposed of in
  any way at

                                       7
<PAGE>

  any time by the Executive (or any Beneficiary(ies) of the Executive),
  other than by designation of Beneficiary(ies) as permitted hereunder or by
  testamentary disposition by the Executive or the laws of descent and
  distribution. The Performance Shares shall not be pledged, encumbered or
  otherwise hypothecated in any way at any time by the Executive (or any
  Beneficiary(ies) of the Executive) and shall not be subject to execution,
  attachment or similar legal process. Any attempt to sell, exchange, pledge,
  transfer, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of or hypothecate the
  Performance Shares, or the levy of any execution, attachment or similar legal
  process upon the Performance Shares, contrary to the terms of this Award
  Agreement and/or the Plan shall be null and void and without legal force or
  effect.

13.Adjustments. The CEDC is authorized to make adjustments in the number, terms
   -----------
  and conditions of the Performance Shares and related Performance Goals in
  recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events, including stock splits, stock
  dividends, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, large, special and
  non-recurring dividends, and acquisitions and dispositions of businesses and
  assets, affecting the Company ("Company Transactions") and its subsidiaries
  or other business unit, or the financial statements of the Company or any
  subsidiary, or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations,
  accounting principles, tax rates and regulations or business conditions or in
  view of the CEDC's assessment of the business strategy of the Company;
  provided, however, that no such adjustment shall be authorized or made if and
  to the extent that the existence or exercise of such authority (i) would
  cause the Performance Shares hereunder to fail to qualify as performance-
  based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and
  regulations thereunder, or (ii) would cause the CEDC to be deemed to have
  authority to change the targets, within the meaning of Treasury Regulation
  1.162-27(e)(4)(vi), under the Performance Goals relating to an authorized
  Performance Award. The number and kind of Performance Shares subject to this
  Award Agreement and relevant information relating to the determination of the
  achievement of the Performance Goals shall be adjusted upon the occurrence of
  a Company Transaction that affects the Shares in order to prevent dilution
  and enlargement of the rights of the Executive under this Agreement.

14.Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Award Agreement contains the entire
   ---------------------------
  agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
  contained herein, and supersedes all prior agreements or prior understandings,
  whether written or oral, between the parties relating to such subject matter.
  This Award Agreement may be amended by a writing signed by both parties
  hereto.

  15. Governing Law. This Award Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
      -------------
  accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut and applicable federal
  law.

  16. Binding Effect. The provisions of this Award Agreement are binding
      --------------
  upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and
  the Executive and the Executive's guardians and Beneficiary(ies).

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Award Agreement on
the dates set forth below.

                                             UIL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Date: __________________________             By______________________________
                                             Its

Grant of Performance Shares
on foregoing terms acknowledged.

Date: __________________________             ________________________________
                                             Participant

                                       8

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