MINNEAPOLIS (December 16, 1999) -- NRG Energy, Inc., (NRG Energy) a wholly owned, nonregulated subsidiary of Northern States Power Company (NYSE:NSP), today announced that John Noer, president of NSP Combustion and Hydro Generation, will join NRG Energy as senior vice president, NRG Energy, Inc., and president, NRG Worldwide Operations.

The change, approved by the NRG Energy board of directors, will be effective January 1, 2000. In his new position, Noer will have worldwide responsibility for NRG Energy plant operations, construction, maintenance and technical services.

"We are extremely pleased to have John as part of our senior management team," said Dave Peterson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of NRG Energy. "John has been a vital member of the NRG Energy board for the past three years, and now we have an even greater opportunity to leverage his considerable experience and leadership talent to meet the needs of our rapidly growing company."

Noer joined NSP in 1968 and has held several management positions involving the development and operation of coal-fired power plants, including plant manager at NSP's Riverside station in Minneapolis and general manager of Plant Engineering and Construction. In 1989 he was named vice president of Human Resources, and in 1993 became president and chief executive officer of NSP - Wisconsin. Most recently he has served as president- NSP Combustion and Hydro Generation. Noer's new role will be his second assignment at NRG Energy. In 1992, he was appointed president of Cyprus Energy Partners, one of NRG Energy's early projects. He has served on the NRG Energy board of directors since June 1997.

NRG Energy is the world's seventh largest independent power producer, specializing in the development, construction, operation, maintenance and ownership of low-cost, environmentally responsible power plants and associated power-marketing activities. With leading generation positions in selected markets in the United States, Europe, the Pacific Rim, and Latin America, NRG Energy is involved in projects representing more than 22,000 MW of generating capacity, including nearly 11,000 MW of fully owned capacity. 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 and geothermal energy.

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.

Media Contact:

Frank Rapley
NRG Energy, Inc.
(612) 373-8892
e-mail: frank.rapley@nrgenergy.com