MINNEAPOLIS, April 02, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE)—NRG Energy, Inc. announced it priced a $690 million offering today—$350 million of 7.75 percent senior notes due April 2011 and $340 million of 30-year, 8.625 percent notes. The offering-co-managed by Banc of America Securities LLC and Salomon Smith Barney-was priced at 99.734 to yield 7.789 percent for the 10-year tranche and 99.874 to yield 8.625 percent for the 30-year tranche. Standard & Poor's Rating Group rated the senior notes BBB- and Moody's Investors Services Inc. assigned them a Baa3 rating.

"Again, investors have shown a strong appetite for NRG's growth history and prospects," reported Leonard A. Bluhm, executive vice president and CFO. "The 30-year corporate bond tranche is the first to be issued by a merchant power generator, and the fact that the offering was oversubscribed attests to the investor communities' belief in NRG's long-term success."

The company said that the proceeds will be used to repay short-term indebtedness incurred to fund acquisitions, and for investments and other general corporate purposes.

NRG Energy is a leading global energy company primarily engaged in the acquisition, development, construction, ownership and operation of power generation facilities. NRG owns all or a portion of 66 power generation projects and its net ownership interest in these projects is 17,134 MW. The company's operations utilize such diverse fuel sources as natural gas, oil, coal and coal seam methane, biomass, landfill gas, and hydro, as well as refuse-derived fuel.

More information on NRG Energy is available at www.nrgenergy.com.

Contacts:

NRG Energy, Inc.

Media Relations
Meredith Moore, 612/373-8892

Investor Relations
Rick Huckle, 612/313-8900