MINNEAPOLIS, July 24, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE)--NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, NRG Thermal Corporation, has finalized the purchase of Harrisburg Steam Works and Statoil Energy Power/Paxton L.P.--both in Harrisburg, Pa.--from Statoil Energy, Inc. These systems join NRG Thermal's other operating subsidiaries in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., San Francisco and San Diego, Calif., Grand Forks, N.D., Camas, Wash., and Pittsburgh, Pa.

"We are pleased to continue Harrisburg Steam Works' 100-year tradition of quality district heating service in downtown Harrisburg," said Craig A. Mataczynski, president of NRG North America. "The company's steam system provides steam to more than 300 residential, commercial and industrial customers--including the city of Harrisburg and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania--and continues to grow."

Statoil Energy Power/Paxton L.P., is a cogeneration facility--capable of producing 12 MW of electrical power while supplying nearly 30 percent of the steam requirements for Harrisburg Steam Works. Also included in the purchase is a nationwide diesel engine service business--that leverages the company's expertise in engineered maintenance, control systems and the repair of large stationary diesel engine power generation systems--and a chiller plant that serves the Harrisburg Hospital.

NRG Energy (www.nrgenergy.com) is a leading global energy company primarily engaged in the acquisition, development, ownership and operation of power generation facilities. NRG Energy owns all or a portion of 57 power generation projects with a total generating capacity of more than 23,000 MW; its net ownership interest in these projects exceeds 13,000 MW. NRG Energy'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. NRG Thermal owns, operates and manages numerous industrial and commercial thermal energy operations.

Certain information included in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking. Such forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of NRG Energy. For more information regarding these risks and uncertainties, review NRG's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

Contact: NRG Energy, Inc., Minneapolis
Meredith Moore
Media Relations Manager
612.313-8729
meredith.moore@nrgenergy.com
or
Dan Dokken
Executive Director, Investor Relations
612.373.5336
dan.dokken@nrgenergy.com