MINNEAPOLIS, April 20, 2000 --NRG Thermal Corporation (NRG Thermal), a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG Energy), announced today that it has signed an agreement with Statoil Energy Inc. to acquire Harrisburg Steam Works and Statoil Energy Power/Paxton L.P. - both in Harrisburg, Pa. 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.; and Pittsburgh, Pa.

"We are pleased about the addition of the Harrisburg systems to our thermal energy business," said Michael Carroll, president of NRG Thermal. "Statoil's operations in Harrisburg are the perfect mix. There's a steam district heating system, a cogeneration facility, a chilled-water plant and a large bore diesel engine service business - great diversity. We are confident the combination will mean continued growth for NRG Thermal and added value for the Harrisburg community."

Harrisburg Steam Works has a 100-year tradition of quality district heating service in downtown Harrisburg. The company's steam system currently 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 is a cogeneration facility capable of supplying nearly 30 percent of the steam requirements for Harrisburg Steam Works and a chiller plant that serves the Harrisburg Hospital. A nationwide diesel engine service business, which leverages the company's expertise in engineered maintenance, control systems and repair of large stationary diesel engine power generation systems, is also an operating unit.

Carroll said that Bill Goodwin, current president of Harrisburg Steam Works would continue as general manager for NRG Thermal's Harrisburg-based businesses.

NRG Thermal owns, operates and manages numerous industrial and commercial thermal energy operations. NRG Thermal is a member of the International District Energy Association (IDEA). NRG Thermal's Minneapolis Energy Center was named IDEA's District Energy System of the Year in 1996. In addition to its thermal operations, NRG Energy (www.nrgenergy.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Northern States Power Company (NYSE: NSP), is a leading global energy company primarily engaged in the acquisition, development, ownership and operation of power generation facilities.

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 Energy's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact: Frank Rapley
Director Communications
NRG Energy, Inc.
612/373-8892
e-mail: frank.rapley@nrgenergy.com