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NRG Energy, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2006 Results, Expands Hedging Program, and Plans to Enhance Capital Allocation Program

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NRG Energy, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2006 Results, Expands Hedging Program, and Plans to Enhance Capital Allocation Program

November 3, 2006 at 6:51 AM EST

PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2006--NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG):

    Third Quarter 2006 Financial Highlights:

    --  $444 million of cash flow from operations

    --  $519 million of adjusted EBITDA, excluding mark-to-market
        (MtM) impacts

    --  $2.4 billion of total liquidity at September 30, 2006

    Hedge Reset and Enhanced Capital Allocation Program:

NRG today announces a coordinated series of initiatives designed to both extend and strengthen our baseload hedging position and to enable further optimization of the Company's ongoing capital allocation program. These initiatives include:

    --  Resetting Legacy NRG Texas out-of-the-money power-related
        hedges to current market price levels (Hedge Reset) and adding
        incremental hedges through 2011;

    --  Amending our Credit Agreement and launching a debt financing
        to fund the Hedge Reset;

    --  Increasing Phase II of the 2007 share buyback program from
        $250 million to $500 million and accelerating initiation to
        the fourth quarter of 2006; and

    --  Increasing planned debt reduction from $400 million to $650
        million.

As a result of the Hedge Reset, 2007 cash flow from operations and adjusted EBITDA guidance has been raised to $1.5 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, from previous 2007 guidance provided in January 2006.

NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) today reported net income before discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 of $373 million and $588 million, respectively--as compared to a net loss of $37 million and $4 million for the same periods last year. The quarter and year-to-date improvements primarily resulted from the February acquisition of Texas Genco LLC (now known as NRG Texas) and mark-to-market (MtM) gains in 2006 versus MtM losses in 2005. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was impacted by $105 million in after tax refinancing expenses incurred as part of the NRG Texas acquisition, partially offset by $54 million in after-tax one-time gains related to dispute and litigation resolutions.

Cash flow from operations for the quarter was $444 million, including a $77 million benefit from returned cash collateral versus cash used by operations of $205 million during the same period last year. Third quarter 2005 results included a cash collateral outflow of $419 million. Cash flow from operations year-to-date was $1 billion for 2006, an increase of $1.1 billion over 2005. The 2005 results included a cash collateral outflow of $598 million. In addition to returned collateral, 2006 cash flow from operations reflect the contributions from NRG Texas.

Lower generation and energy prices in the Northeast region during the third quarter 2006 were partially offset by $30 million of improved South Central margins achieved mainly through higher plant operating rates. Third quarter 2005 results benefited from $25 million of emission credit revenues versus no sales in the current quarter. Year-to-date results benefited from $68 million in improved South Central margins largely driven by improved reliability versus the same period last year. Quarterly and year-to-date results included higher levels of general and administrative expenses associated with the NRG Texas integration ($4 million and $11 million, respectively) and development costs ($9 million and $15 million, respectively) incurred in support of Repowering NRG initiatives.

"Our much improved third quarter operating performance helped compensate for soft summer demand for our peaking units and a falling gas price environment," said David Crane, NRG's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The relentless strengthening of our liquidity, driven by our free cash flow generation, enables us to grow the value of the business. Today, through our hedge reset and extension program, we provide for increased near-term free cash flow, greater future hedging flexibility and more efficiency in our ability to return capital to shareholders--all while reducing the commodity volatility to our business and improving the Company's credit profile."

Regional Segment Review of Results
Table 1: Three Months Income from Continuing Operations and Adjusted
 EBITDA


($ in millions)                         Income from   Adjusted EBITDA
                                         Continuing
                                         Operations
                                        before Taxes
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ending                   9/30/06 9/30/05 9/30/06 9/30/05
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Texas                                     480       -     431       -
Northeast                                 150       4     180      28
South Central                              24      (8)     43       8
Australia (1)                               6       6       6       6
West                                       13       6      13       6
Other North America                        (7)     (2)      1       1
Other International                        21      23      24      24
Alternative Energy, Non-generation,
 Corporate and Other (2)                  (79)    (56)     19     (18)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                     608     (27)    717      55
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Less: MtM forward position
accruals (3)                             (161)    172    (161)    172
Add: Prior Period MtM reversals (4)       (37)      5     (37)      5
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total net of MtM Impacts                  410     150     519     232
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes only Gladstone equity earnings; Flinders is reported as a
 Discontinued Operation.

(2) Includes interest expense of $112 million and $54 million for 2006
 and 2005, respectively.

(3) Represents a net domestic MtM gain of $161 million in 2006
 (primarily in the Northeast and Texas regions) and a net domestic MtM
 loss of $172 million in 2005, primarily in the Northeast region.

(4) Represents the reversal of $37 million in 2006 associated with the
 $119 million net domestic MtM losses recognized in 2005 and reversal
 of $5 million in 2005 associated with the $59 million net domestic
 MtM gain recognized in 2004, primarily in the Northeast region.
 Table 2: Nine Months Income from Continuing Operations and Adjusted
                                EBITDA


($ in millions)                         Income from   Adjusted EBITDA
                                         Continuing
                                         Operations
                                        before Taxes
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nine months ending                    9/30/06 9/30/05 9/30/06 9/30/05
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Texas                                     765       -     776       -
Northeast                                 333      76     435     140
South Central                              53      (6)    117      42
Australia (1)                              17      18      18      18
West                                       17      15      18      15
Other North America (2)                    53     (14)      -       2
Other International                        61      92      66      73
Alternative Energy, Non-generation,
 Corporate and Other (3)                 (387)   (161)     45      26
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                     912      20   1,475     316
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Less: MtM forward position accruals
 (4)                                     (208)    207    (208)    207
Add: Prior Period MtM reversals (5)      (102)     55    (102)     55
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total net of MtM Impacts                  602     282   1,165     578
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes only Gladstone equity earnings; Flinders is reported as a
 Discontinued Operation.

(2) Includes $67 million pre-tax gain for settlement with equipment
 manufacturer in 2006.

(3) Includes interest and refinancing expenses of $402 million and
 $168 million for 2006 and 2005, respectively.

(4) Represents a net domestic MtM gain of $208 million in 2006
 (primarily in the Northeast and Texas regions) and a net domestic MtM
 loss of $207 million in 2005, primarily in the Northeast region.

(5) Represents the reversal of $102 million in 2006 associated with
 the $119 million net domestic MtM losses recognized in 2005 and
 reversal of $55 million in 2005 associated with the $59 million net
 domestic MtM gain recognized in 2004, primarily the Northeast region.

MtM Impacts of Hedging and Trading Activities

The Company, in the normal course of business, enters into contracts to lock in forward prices for a significant portion of its expected power generation. Although these transactions are predominantly economic hedges of our baseload portfolio, a portion of these forward sales are not afforded hedge accounting treatment and the MtM change in value of these transactions is recorded to current period earnings. For the third quarter 2006, we recorded $161 million of forward domestic net MtM gains, compared to a $172 million net domestic MtM loss recorded in the third quarter 2005. In addition to this forward gain in the quarter, of the $119 million MtM loss recognized in 2005, $37 million reversed to income during the third quarter in 2006 and $102 million year-to-date. Driving the forward MtM gains in 2006 were the lower energy prices for the first nine months of this year mainly due to unseasonably mild winter weather in the Northeast and the high levels of natural gas inventories in 2006. Another contributing factor is the expansion of heat rates in ERCOT, resulting in a $78 million quarterly MtM gain in our Texas region. In 2005, the MtM losses primarily resulted from the run up in natural gas prices which occurred as a result of the impact hurricanes Katrina and Rita had on natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico.

Texas: Continued strong operating performances from our baseload fleet, and higher generation from our Texas gas plants, were partially offset by lower power prices realized on merchant energy sales and the unhedged portion of our baseload fleet. Amortization associated with net out-of-market contracts increased pre-tax operating results by $219 million and $482 million for the quarter and year-to-date, respectively. The NRG Texas integration of key financial and operating systems and processes was completed during the quarter, as scheduled.

Northeast: Lower quarterly results for the Northeast, after adjusting for MtM impacts, were due to weaker power prices and lower generation. Reduced demand for our peaking assets resulted in lower generation hours from oil-fired and intermediate gas-fired assets. Also, 2005 third quarter results for the Northeast included revenues from the sale of emission credits, versus no recorded sales in the current quarter. Partially offsetting the lower demand and emission sales were improved capacity revenues and improved operating performance from our baseload fleet. Year-to-date, mild weather in the first two quarters, along with continuing weak power prices, were partially offset by surplus emission allowance sales in the first quarter, improved operating performance and higher capacity prices.

South Central: Improved quarterly and year-to-date results reflect higher net merchant energy sales at levels above contracted energy prices. Improved unit availability reduced the need to purchase power to service our long-term co-op contracts. Summer capacity revenues were also higher than last year due to new summer peak levels set in 2005. A new summer peak demand record was set in 2006 which will reset the capacity payments and benefit 2007 earnings.

West: Improved quarterly results are largely attributable to increased ownership following our acquisition of Dynegy Inc.'s 50 percent interest in West Coast Power (WCP), which closed March 31, 2006. The impact on year-to-date results is partly offset by lower reliability-must-run (RMR) fixed cost recovery by Encina units 4 and 5 and lower year-to-date equity earnings from our Saguaro investment due to the June 2005 expiration of its favorable gas contract.

Australia: In June 2006, NRG entered into a purchase and sale agreement to sell its Flinders and Gladstone investments in Australia to Babcock & Brown and Transfield Services, respectively. While Flinders has been reclassified as discontinued operations and excluded from income from continuing operations, Gladstone results continue to be reported as part of equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. On August 30, 2006, the Company completed the Flinders sale -- receiving $242 million in proceeds resulting in a $61 million after-tax gain on the sale, which is included in discontinued operations. As a result of this sale, NRG also removed $183 million of non-recourse debt obligations from our balance sheet. We continue our efforts to close the Gladstone transaction; however, the sale is subject to significant conditions precedent which will likely prevent us from closing the transaction this year.

Other North America: Year-to-date results include other income of $67 million related to a settlement agreement associated with turbine purchase agreements from 1999 and 2001. This increase was partially offset by the March 31, 2006 sale of our 50 percent interest in the Rocky Road project.

Other International: Year-on-year results are lower largely due to the impact of the sale of Enfield on April 1, 2005, which contributed $16 million to equity earnings and a $12 million pre-tax gain from the sale of this investment.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Table 2: Corporate Liquidity

 ($ in
  millions)   September 30, 2006 June 30, 2006(1) December 31, 2005(1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrestricted
 Cash                     1,388              957                 $506
Restricted
 Cash                        74               58                   64
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Cash                1,462            1,015                 $570
Letter of
 Credit
 Availability               142              116                   38
Revolver
 Availability               843              846                  150
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current
 Liquidity                2,447            1,977                 $758


(1) These amounts have not been restated for discontinued operations

Liquidity at September 30, 2006 was approximately $2.4 billion, up $470 million since June 30, 2006 and up approximately $1.7 billion since December 31, 2005. The $447 million cash increase during the quarter resulted from $444 million of cash from operations and $242 million in proceeds from the sale of Flinders. These improvements were partially offset by $99 million in cash used for treasury stock purchases under Phase I of the capital allocation program, $62 million in capital expenditures, $35 million in principal debt repayments and $14 million in preferred dividend payments. Posted cash collateral supporting hedging and trading activities at September 30, 2006 totaled $132 million.

Recent Developments

The Company is in the process of implementing a series of transactions that are designed to reduce the earnings impact of commodity volatility, increase capital structure efficiency and flexibility, and expand the capacity for the return of capital to shareholders, while committing to debt reduction. These transactions include:

    --  Resetting existing out-of-the-money hedges (acquired as part
        of the NRG Texas acquisition) primarily for years 2006 through
        2010 to current market price levels;

    --  Placing new hedges on baseload power generation for the years
        2010 and 2011 (increasing the baseload hedge positions to 48%
        and 53%, respectively), and opening up counterparty capacity
        for additional hedges in 2010 through 2012;

    --  Amending the senior secured credit facility; and

    --  Incurring $1.1 billion of unsecured debt and use of cash on
        hand to fund the reset of existing hedges.

Under the amended agreements, NRG has reset the pricing of these hedges to current market prices and has agreed to a negotiated cash settlement with hedge counterparties. The total amount to be paid to the counterparties is approximately $1.3 billion. NRG's obligations under the new and amended hedges are or will be secured by second liens on substantially all of the assets of NRG and its subsidiaries, pursuant to NRG's existing second lien structure. Already, with the additional hedge capacity made available as a result of the Hedge Reset, NRG has increased its baseload hedged profile from 41 percent to 48 percent in 2010 and from 19 percent to 53 percent in 2011 at prices above those assumed in the valuation of NRG Texas.

Resetting existing hedges also improves the Company's near term earnings, cash flows, and credit profile which contribute to the Company's ability to amend the existing senior secured credit facilities. The main amendments, among other things:

    --  Permit the incurrence of debt to fund the Hedge Reset;

    --  Increase the amount of the synthetic letter of credit facility
        by $500 million, from $1.0 billion to $1.5 billion to support
        incremental hedging activity; and

    --  Increase and reset the restricted payments basket to $500
        million along with a more appropriate annual adder
        calculation.

The transactions are expected to close by November 21, 2006. The primary financial statement impacts will be a $1.1 billion increase in long-term debt and $1.3 billion in higher cash flows from operations in 2007 through 2010. Partially offsetting the debt increase will be the previously announced $400 million pay down of the Term B debt and the use of approximately $250 million of cash to fund the Hedge Reset.

In connection with the Hedge Reset, the Company expects to record a noncash after-tax loss of approximately $60 million in the fourth quarter 2006. The loss is due primarily to the assumptions used for the purchase price accounting at the NRG Texas acquisition date.

"These transactions will have an immediate and positive impact on the Company's financial profile and provide the capacity and flexibility to allocate capital to investment opportunities, debt reduction, and a continuing return of capital to shareholders," stated Robert Flexon, NRG Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "The transactions will also significantly improve our 2007 credit statistics, in particular the leverage and coverage ratios as well as operating cash flows."

Capital Allocation - Share Repurchase Program - Phase I Completed and Phase II Upsized

During the third quarter 2006, NRG initiated our third share repurchase program since 2004-a capital allocation program to repurchase approximately $750 million of its common stock in two phases. On October 13, 2006, the Company completed Phase I, which included $500 million, or 10.6 million shares in stock repurchases. Phase II--originally an additional $250 million common stock buyback to be initiated and completed in the first half of 2007--has been upsized to $500 million with a fourth quarter 2006 accelerated start date. The Company expects to fund Phase II with cash on hand and 2007 cash from operations and anticipates completion by the end of the second quarter next year. Consistent with our approach in managing the debt and equity balance, the Company is utilizing $250 million of cash on hand to fund the Hedge Reset.

"A balanced capital allocation program is a fundamental component of our financial philosophy," commented Crane. "Since 2004, the Company has paid down or removed, in connection with asset sales, more than $2.0 billion of consolidated debt, and now--with the upsized Phase II share buyback--we will be on track to bringing the total amount of capital returned to NRG shareholders to over $1.6 billion."

Outlook for 2006 and 2007

The Company is maintaining its existing 2006 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $1.5 billion and updating the cash flow from operations guidance to $1.29 billion reflecting increased interest cash costs associated with higher interest rates and from the borrowings incurred in Phase I of the capital allocation program. Although commodity prices declined during the quarter and generation hours were slightly below expectations, hedges on the portfolio mitigated the impact of these factors. (See Table 3.)

Our 2007 adjusted EBITDA and cash flow guidance has been updated to $2.1 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, reflecting the impact of the Hedge Reset and the interest costs associated with the incremental debt. Table 4 reconciles our previous 2007 guidance with our updated outlook.

Table 3: 2006 Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA Guidance ($ in
 millions)

                                                    08/01/06 11/03/06
Adjusted EBITDA, including MTM                        $1,616   $1,810
  MtM adjustment                                         116      310
                                                    ------------------
Adjusted EBITDA Guidance                               1,500    1,500
  Interest payments                                     (439)    (459)
  Income tax                                             (13)     (15)
  Refinancing payments                                  (127)    (127)
  Collateral received                                    407      400
  Working capital/other changes                           (4)      (9)
                                                    ------------------
Cash flow from operations                             $1,324   $1,290
Table 4: 2007 Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA Guidance ($ in
 millions)


Adjusted EBITDA Guidance - 01/05/06 (excluding MtM)            $1,558
Portfolio Changes:
       Sale of Australia businesses                               (70)
       Other portfolio changes                                    (19)
       Development expenses(1)                                    (36)
       Hedge Reset                                                650
       Other, net                                                 (33)
                                                               -------
Updated Adjusted EBITDA Guidance - 11/03/06 (excluding MtM)     2,050
       Interest payments                                         (634)
       Income taxes                                               (15)
       Collateral received                                         42
       Working capital/other charges                                7
                                                               -------
Cash flow from operations                                      $1,450
Capital Expenditures                                             (352)
Preferred dividends                                               (53)
                                                               -------
Free cash flow                                                 $1,045


(1) Assumes $63 million of cost reimbursement for STP development
 expenses.

Earnings Conference Call

On November 3, 2006, NRG will host a conference call at 9:00 a.m. eastern to discuss these results. To access the live web cast and accompanying slide presentation, log on to NRG's website at http://www.nrgenergy.com and click on "Investors." To participate in the call, dial 866.585.6398. International callers should dial 416.849.9626. Participants should dial in or log on approximately five minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

The call will be available for replay shortly after completion of the live event on the "Investors" section of the NRG website.

About NRG

NRG Energy, Inc. owns and operates a diverse portfolio of power-generating facilities, primarily in Texas and the Northeast, South Central and West regions of the United States. Its operations include baseload, intermediate, peaking, and cogeneration facilities and thermal energy production. NRG also has ownership interests in generating facilities in Australia, Germany and Brazil.

Safe Harbor Disclosure

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions and include our adjusted EBITDA, cash flow from operations and free cash flow guidance, the timing and completion of announced transactions (including the hedge resets, incurrence of unsecured debt and credit amendments), the expected benefits and timing of the announced capital allocation program, expected earnings, future growth and financial performance, and the expected timing of sales of our assets in Australia, and typically can be identified by the use of words such as "will," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "forecast," "plan," "believe" and similar terms. Although NRG believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, among others, general economic conditions, hazards customary in the power industry, weather conditions, competition in wholesale power markets, the volatility of energy and fuel prices, failure of customers to perform under contracts, changes in the wholesale power markets, changes in government regulation of markets and of environmental emissions, the condition of capital markets generally, our ability to access capital markets, unanticipated outages at our generation facilities, adverse results in current and future litigation, the inability to implement value enhancing improvements to plant operations and companywide processes, and our ability to achieve the expected benefits of our hedging and capital allocation programs.

NRG undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The adjusted EBITDA guidance, cash flow from operations and free cash flow guidance are estimates as of today's date, November 3, 2006 and is based on assumptions believed to be reasonable as of this date. NRG expressly disclaims any current intention to update such guidance. The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRG's actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this news release should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRG's future results included in NRG's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

This news release shall not be deemed to constitute an offer to sell or offer for sale of any security.

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

                  NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                             (Unaudited)


                                          Three months   Nine months
                                              ended         ended
                                           September 30  September 30
                                          ----------------------------
(In millions, except for per share
 amounts)                                  2006   2005   2006   2005
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Revenues
 Revenues from majority-owned operations  $2,000 $  687 $4,479 $1,723
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Costs and Expenses
 Cost of majority-owned operations         1,055    604  2,478  1,378
 Depreciation and amortization               148     41    443    121
 General, administrative and development      79     42    220    136
 Impairment charges                           --      6     --      6
 Corporate relocation charges                 --      2     --      6
----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total operating costs and expenses    1,282    695  3,141  1,647
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Income/(Loss)                      718     (8) 1,338     76
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Income (Expense)
 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
  affiliates                                  17     29     46     82
 Write downs and gains/(losses) on sales
  of equity method investments                (3)     4      8     16
 Other income, net                            30     10    118     41
 Refinancing expense                          --    (19)  (178)   (54)
 Interest expense                           (154)   (43)  (420)  (141)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total other expense                      (110)   (19)  (426)   (56)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Income/(Loss) From Continuing Operations
 Before Income Taxes                         608    (27)   912     20
 Income Tax Expense                          235     10    324     24
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Income/(Loss) From Continuing Operations     373    (37)   588     (4)
 Income from discontinued operations, net
  of income tax expense                       49     10     63     24
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income/(Loss)                            422    (27)   651     20
 Dividends for Preferred Shares               14      4     37     12
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Income/(Loss) Available for Common
 Stockholders                             $  408 $  (31)$  614 $    8
----------------------------------------------------------------------

 Weighted Average Number of Common Shares
  Outstanding -- Basic                       136     84    130     86
 Income/(Loss) From Continuing Operations
  per Weighted Average Common Share --
  Basic                                   $ 2.64 $(0.51)$ 4.22 $(0.21)
 Income From Discontinued Operations per
  Weighted Average Common Share -- Basic    0.36   0.12   0.48   0.28
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income/(Loss) per Weighted Average
 Common Share -- Basic                    $ 3.00 $(0.39)$ 4.70 $ 0.07
----------------------------------------------------------------------

 Weighted Average Number of Common Shares
  Outstanding -- Diluted                     159     84    151     86
 Income/(Loss) From Continuing Operations
  per Weighted Average Common Share --
  Diluted                                 $ 2.34 $(0.51)$ 3.85 $(0.21)
 Income From Discontinued Operations per
  Weighted Average Common Share -- Diluted  0.31   0.12   0.41   0.28
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income/(Loss) per Weighted Average
 Common Share -- Diluted                  $ 2.65 $(0.39)$ 4.26 $ 0.07
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                            September 30, December 31,
                                                2006          2005
                                            --------------------------
 (in millions, except shares and par value)   (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                           ASSETS
Current Assets
   Cash and cash equivalents                     $ 1,388       $  493
   Restricted cash                                    74           49
   Accounts receivable, less allowance for
    doubtful accounts of $3 and $2                   433          249
   Inventory                                         397          240
   Deferred income taxes                              59           --
   Derivative instruments valuation                  961          387
   Collateral on deposits in support of
    energy risk management activities                132          438
   Prepayments and other current assets              214          187
   Current assets - held-for-sale                     --           43
   Current assets -- discontinued operations          13          110
----------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total current assets                        3,671        2,196
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment, net of
 accumulated depreciation of $814 and $343        11,686        2,609
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Assets
   Equity investments in affiliates                  319          602
   Notes receivable, less current portion            468          457
   Goodwill                                        1,547           --
   Intangible assets, net of accumulated
    amortization of $169 and $79                   1,001          257
   Intangible assets held-for-sale                    53           --
   Nuclear decommissioning trust fund                331           --
   Derivative instruments valuation                  360           18
   Funded letter of credit                            --          350
   Deferred income taxes                              27           26
   Other non-current assets                          244          124
   Non-current assets - discontinued
    operations                                        14          827
----------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total other assets                          4,364        2,661
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets                                     $19,721       $7,466
----------------------------------------------------------------------

               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
   Current portion of long-term debt and
    capital leases                               $   123       $   95
   Accounts payable                                  278          241
   Derivative instruments valuation                  901          679
   Accrued expenses and other current
    liabilities                                      485          172
   Current liabilities -- discontinued
    operations                                         8          170
----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total current liabilities                     1,795        1,357
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Liabilities
   Long-term debt and capital leases               7,826        2,410
   Nuclear decommissioning reserve                   278           --
   Nuclear decommissioning trust liability           319           --
   Deferred income taxes                             362          128
   Derivative instruments valuation                  369           56
   Out-of-market contracts                         2,128          298
   Other non-current liabilities                     386          170
   Non-current liabilities -- discontinued
    operations                                         5          569
----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total non-current liabilities                11,673        3,631
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities                                 13,468        4,988
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Minority Interest                                     1            1
 3.625% Convertible perpetual preferred
  stock (at liquidation value, net of
  issuance costs)                                    247          246
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
   Preferred stock (at liquidation value,
    net of issuance costs)                           892          406
   Common Stock; $.01 par value; 500,000,000
    shares authorized; 137,030,642 and
    80,701,888 outstanding                             1            1
   Additional paid-in capital                      4,458        2,431
   Retained earnings                                 782          261
   Less treasury stock, at cost -- 6,113,000
    and 19,346,788 shares                           (297)        (663)
   Accumulated other comprehensive
    income/(loss)                                    169         (205)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total stockholders' equity                    6,005        2,231
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity       $19,721       $7,466
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (Unaudited)


                                        Nine months ended September 30
                                        ------------------------------
(In millions)                                2006           2005
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income                                     $   651         $   20
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to
  net cash provided by operating
  activities
    Distributions in excess of equity in
     earnings of unconsolidated
     affiliates                                    (27)             1
   Depreciation and amortization                   490            145
   Amortization of financing costs and
    debt discount                                   24              8
   Amortization of intangibles and out-
    of-market contracts                           (393)            16
   Amortization of unearned equity
    compensation                                    13              8
   Write-off of deferred financing costs
    and debt premium                                47             (7)
   Write down and (gains) on sale of
    equity method investments                       (8)           (16)
   Asset impairment                                 --              6
   Changes in deferred income taxes                309            (54)
   Nuclear decommissioning trust
    liability                                        9             --
   Minority interest                                --              1
   Loss on sale of equipment                         3             --
   Changes in derivatives                         (301)           252
   Gain on legal settlement                        (67)           (14)
    Gain on sale of discontinued
     operations                                    (71)           (11)
    Gain on sale of emission allowances            (68)            --
   Collateral deposit payments in
    support of energy risk management
    activities                                     349           (598)
   Cash provided by changes in other
    working capital, net of acquisition
    and disposition affects                         88            129
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided/(Used) by Operating
 Activities                                      1,048           (114)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 Acquisition of Texas Genco LLC, net of
  cash acquired                                 (4,304)            --
 Acquisition of WCP and Padoma, net of
  cash acquired                                    (32)            --
  Decrease/(Increase) in restricted
   cash, net                                       (24)            18
  Decrease in notes receivable                      22            100
  Purchases of emission allowances                 (76)            --
  Sales of emission allowances                      97             --
 Investments in nuclear decommissioning
  trust fund securities                           (158)            --
 Proceeds from sales of nuclear
  decommissioning trust fund securities            149             --
  Proceeds from sale of equipment                    1             --
  Proceeds from sale of investments                 86             70
  Proceeds from sale of discontinued
   operations                                      239             36
  Return of capital from equity method
   investments and projects                         --              1
  Capital expenditures                            (159)           (46)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided/(Used) by Investing
 Activities                                     (4,159)           179
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 Payment of dividends to preferred
  stockholders                                     (37)           (12)
 Payment for treasury stock                       (297)          (251)
 Repayment of minority interest
  obligations                                       --             (4)
 Borrowing under revolving credit
  facility, net                                     --             80
 Funded letter of credit                           350             --
 Proceeds from issuance of common stock,
  net of issuance costs                            986             --
 Proceeds from issuance of preferred
  shares, net of issuance costs                    486            246
 Payment of deferred debt issuance costs          (174)            (2)
 Proceeds from issuance of long-term
  debt, net                                      7,373            249
 Payments for short and long-term debt          (4,697)          (979)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided/(Used) by Financing
 Activities                                      3,990           (673)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Change in Cash from Discontinued
   Operations                                       14             17
  Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on
   Cash and Cash Equivalents                         2             (1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Increase in Cash and Cash
 Equivalents                                       895            592
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning
 of Period                                         493          1,069
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of
 Period                                        $ 1,388         $  477
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix Table A-1: Third Quarter 2006 Regional EBITDA Reconciliation

The following table summarizes the calculation of adjusted EBITDA and
 provides a reconciliation to net income/(loss)



                                             South
(dollars in millions)       Texas Northeast  Central Western Other NA
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income/(Loss)            445       150       24      13       (6)
======================================================================
Plus:
 Income Tax                   34         -        -       -       (1)
 Interest Expense             34        14        9       -        3
 Amortization of Finance
  Costs                        -         -        -       -        -
 Amortization of Debt
  (Discount)/Premium           -         -        1       -        1
 Depreciation Expense        104        22       15       -        3
 Amortization of Power
  Contracts                 (219)        -       (6)      -        -
 Amortization of Fuel
  Contracts                   22         -        -       -        -
 Amortization of Emission
  Credits                     11         1        -       -        -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA                       431       187       43      13        -
 (Income)/Loss from
  Discontinued Operations      -         -        -       -        -
 Write-Down and
  (Gain)/Losses on Sales of
  Equity Method Investments    -         -        -       -        3
 Acquisition Integration
  Costs                        -         -        -       -        -
 Audrain bad debt reversal     -         -        -       -       (2)
 Legal Settlement              -        (7)       -       -        -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA              431       180       43      13        1

(dollars in millions)                Australia Other Int'l Other Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income/(Loss)                          (5)         78  (277)  422
======================================================================
Plus:
 Income Tax                                 1           4   197   235
 Interest Expense                           -           2    85   147
 Amortization of Finance Costs              -           -     5     5
 Amortization of Debt
  (Discount)/Premium                        -           -     -     2
 Depreciation Expense                       -           1     3   148
 Amortization of Power Contracts            -           -     -  (225)
 Amortization of Fuel Contracts             -           -     -    22
 Amortization of Emission Credits           -           -     -    12
----------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA                                     (4)         85    13   768
 (Income)/Loss from Discontinued
  Operations                               10         (61)    2   (49)
 Write-Down and (Gain)/Losses on
  Sales of Equity Method Investments        -           -     -     3
 Acquisition Integration Costs              -           -     4     4
 Audrain bad debt reversal                  -           -     -    (2)
 Legal Settlement                           -           -     -    (7)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA                             6          24    19   717
Appendix Table A-1: Third Quarter 2005 Regional EBITDA Reconciliation

The following table summarizes the calculation of adjusted EBITDA and
 provides a reconciliation to net income/(loss)



                                            South
(dollars in millions)            Northeast  Central Western Other NA
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income/(Loss)                       4       (8)      6       (4)
======================================================================
Plus:
 Income Tax                             -        -       -        1
 Interest Expense                       -        2       -        3
 Amortization of Finance Costs          -        -       -        -
 Amortization of Debt
  (Discount)/Premium                    -        1       -        2
 Depreciation Expense                  19       16       -        2
 Amortization of Power Contracts        -       (4)      -        -
 Amortization of Emission Credits       5        1       -        -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA                                 28        8       6        4
 (Income)/Loss from Discontinued
  Operations                            -        -       -        1
 Write-Down and (Gain)/Losses on
  Sales of Equity Method
  Investments                           -        -       -       (4)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA                        28        8       6        1



(dollars in millions)                Australia Other Int'l Other Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income/(Loss)                           3          17   (45)  (27)
======================================================================
Plus:
 Income Tax                                 2           5     2    10
 Interest Expense                           -           1    34    40
 Amortization of Finance Costs              -           -     1     1
 Amortization of Debt
  (Discount)/Premium                        -           -    (1)    2
 Depreciation Expense                       -           1     3    41
 Amortization of Power Contracts            -           -     -    (4)
 Amortization of Emission Credits           -           -     -     6
----------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA                                      5          24    (6)   69
 (Income)/Loss from Discontinued
  Operations                                1           -   (12)  (10)
 Write-Down and (Gain)/Losses on
  Sales of Equity Method Investments        -           -     -    (4)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA                             6          24   (18)   55
Appendix Table A-2: YTD 2006 Regional EBITDA Reconciliation

The following table summarizes the calculation of adjusted EBITDA and
 provides a reconciliation to net income/(loss)



                                             South
(dollars in millions)       Texas Northeast  Central Western Other NA
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income/(Loss)            719       333       53      19       62
======================================================================
Plus:
 Income Tax                   45         -        -      (2)       -
 Interest Expense             98        48       28       -       10
 Amortization of Finance
  Costs                        -         -        -       -        -
 Amortization of Debt
  (Discount)/Premium           -         -        2       -        3
 Refinancing Expense           -         -        -       -        -
 Depreciation Expense        309        66       45       1        6
 Amortization of Power
  Contracts                 (482)        -      (14)      -        -
 Amortization of Fuel
  Contracts                   59         -        -       -        -
 Amortization of Emission
  Credits                     28        10        3       -        -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA                       776       457      117      18       81
 (Income)/Loss from
  Discontinued Operations      -         -        -       -       (9)
 Write-Down and
  (Gain)/Losses on Sales of
  Equity Method Investments    -         -        -       -       (5)
 Bourbonnais Legal
  Settlement                   -         -        -       -      (67)
 Acquisition Integration
  Costs                        -         -        -       -        -
 Legal Settlement              -        (7)       -       -        -
 Station Service Reserve
  Reversal                     -       (15)       -       -        -
 Mirant Defense                -         -        -       -        -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA              776       435      117      18        -

(dollars in millions)               Australia Other Int'l Other Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income/(Loss)                          3         108  (646)   651
======================================================================
Plus:
 Income Tax                                4          14   263    324
 Interest Expense                          -           6   210    400
 Amortization of Finance Costs             -           -    15     15
 Amortization of Debt
  (Discount)/Premium                       -           -     -      5
 Refinancing Expense                       -           -   178    178
 Depreciation Expense                      -           2    14    443
 Amortization of Power Contracts           -           -     -   (496)
 Amortization of Fuel Contracts            -           -     -     59
 Amortization of Emission Credits          -           -    (2)    39
----------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA                                     7         130    32  1,618
 (Income)/Loss from Discontinued
  Operations                              11         (61)   (4)   (63)
 Write-Down and (Gain)/Losses on
  Sales of Equity Method Investments       -          (3)    -     (8)
 Bourbonnais Legal Settlement              -           -     -    (67)
 Acquisition Integration Costs             -           -    11     11
 Legal Settlement                          -           -     -     (7)
 Station Service Reserve Reversal          -           -     -    (15)
 Mirant Defense                            -           -     6      6
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA                           18          66    45  1,475
Appendix Table A-2: YTD 2005 Regional EBITDA Reconciliation

The following table summarizes the calculation of adjusted EBITDA and
 provides a reconciliation to net income/(loss)



                                             South
(dollars in millions)             Northeast  Central Western Other NA
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income/(Loss)                       76       (6)     15      (14)
======================================================================
Plus:
 Income Tax                              -        -       -        2
 Interest Expense                        -        5       -       10
 Amortization of Finance Costs           -        -       -        -
 Amortization of Debt
  (Discount)/Premium                     -        2       -        4
 Refinancing Expense                     -        -       -        -
 Depreciation Expense                   56       46       -        5
 Amortization of Power Contracts         -      (10)      -        5
 Amortization of Emission Credits        8        5       -        -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA                                 140       42      15       12
 (Income)/Loss from Discontinued
  Operations                             -        -       -       (2)
 Corporate Relocation charges            -        -       -        -
 Write-Down and (Gain)/Losses on
  Sales of Equity Method
  Investments                            -        -       -       (4)
 Proceeds Received from Crockett
  Contingency                            -        -       -       (4)
 Gain on TermoRio Settlement             -        -       -        -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA                        140       42      15        2

(dollars in millions)                Australia Other Int'l Other Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income/(Loss)                          17          78  (146)   20
======================================================================
Plus:
 Income Tax                                 5          13     4    24
 Interest Expense                           -           5   113   133
 Amortization of Finance Costs              -           -     4     4
 Amortization of Debt
  (Discount)/Premium                        -           -    (2)    4
 Refinancing Expense                        -           -    54    54
 Depreciation Expense                       -           3    11   121
 Amortization of Power Contracts            -           -     -    (5)
 Amortization of Emission Credits           -           -     -    13
----------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA                                     22          99    38   368
 (Income)/Loss from Discontinued
  Operations                               (4)          -   (18)  (24)
 Corporate Relocation charges               -           -     6     6
 Write-Down and (Gain)/Losses on
  Sales of Equity Method Investments        -         (12)    -   (16)
 Proceeds Received from Crockett
  Contingency                               -           -     -    (4)
 Gain on TermoRio Settlement                -         (14)    -   (14)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA                            18          73    26   316

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are nonGAAP financial measures. These measurements are not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance. The presentation of adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow should not be construed as an inference that NRG's future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.

EBITDA represents net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is presented because NRG considers it an important supplemental measure of its performance and believes debt-holders frequently use EBITDA to analyze operating performance and debt service capacity. EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our operating results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

    --  EBITDA does not reflect cash expenditures, or future
        requirements for capital expenditures, or contractual
        commitments;

    --  EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for,
        working capital needs;

    --  EBITDA does not reflect the significant interest expense, or
        the cash requirements necessary to service interest or
        principal payments, on debts;

    --  Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges,
        the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to
        be replaced in the future, and EBITDA does not reflect any
        cash requirements for such replacements; and

    --  Other companies in this industry may calculate EBITDA
        differently than NRG does, limiting its usefulness as a
        comparative measure.

Because of these limitations, EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to use to invest in the growth of NRG's business. NRG compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA only supplementally. See the statements of cash flow included in the financial statements that are a part of this news release.

Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a further supplemental measure of operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA adjusted for reorganization, restructuring, impairment and corporate relocation charges, discontinued operations, and write downs and gains or losses on the sales of equity method investments or other nonrecurring events; factors which we do not consider indicative of future operating performance. The reader is encouraged to evaluate each adjustment and the reasons NRG considers it appropriate for supplemental analysis. As an analytical tool, adjusted EBITDA is subject to all of the limitations applicable to EBITDA. In addition, in evaluating adjusted EBITDA, the reader should be aware that in the future NRG may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in this news release.

Free cash flow is cash flow from operations less capital expenditures and preferred stock dividends and is used by NRG predominantly as a forecasting tool to estimate cash available for debt reduction and other investments. The reader is encouraged to evaluate each adjustment and the reasons NRG considers it appropriate for supplemental analysis. In addition, in evaluating free cash flow, the reader should be aware that in the future NRG may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in this news release.


    CONTACT: NRG Energy, Inc.
             Media:
             Meredith Moore, 609-524-4522
             Lori Neuman, 609-524-4525
             or
             Investors:
             Nahla Azmy, 609-524-4526
             Kevin Kelly, 609-524-4527
             Jon Baylor, 609-524-4528

    SOURCE: NRG Energy, Inc.