NRG Energy, Inc. Announces Confirmation of Plan of Reorganization
Company on Track to Emerge from Chapter 11 by Year End

MINNEAPOLIS (November 24, 2003) -- Judge Prudence Carter Beatty of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York today entered an order confirming NRG Energy, Inc.'s Plan of Reorganization, clearing the way for the Company to emerge from Chapter 11 by year end. The Company also announced that its power marketing unit, NRG-Power Marketing Inc. (NRG-PMI) is expected to emerge from Chapter 11 at the same time as NRG Energy.

Under the terms of the Plan of Reorganization, Xcel Energy will make payments up to $752 million to NRG and its creditors during the first five months of 2004 if the company emerges from Chapter 11 by the end of the year.

Separately, NRG said that the Bankruptcy Court approved the appointment of David Crane, currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of London-based International Power, as NRG's new President and Chief Executive Officer. Crane will join NRG on December 1.

NRG Energy, Inc. owns and operates a diverse portfolio of power-generating facilities, primarily in the United States. Its operations include competitive energy production and cogeneration facilities, thermal energy production and energy resource recovery facilities.

Certain statements included in this news release are 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. Forward-looking statements above include, but are not limited to, the timing of NRG and NRG-PMI's emergence from Chapter 11 and the amount and timing of Xcel's payments to NRG and its creditors. Although NRG believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. Factors that could cause NRG's actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements above include, among others, NRG's ability to satisfy all requirements to the effectiveness of its Plan of Reorganization, the possibility that a party may file an appeal of the order approving NRG's Plan of Reorganization, and the possible occurrence of any event that could delay or prevent Xcel's payment of amounts required by the Plan.

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 not be construed as exhaustive. For more information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRG's future results, review NRG's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Contacts:

Investor Inquiries Paul Barbian, 612.373.8815 Media Inquiries Lesa Bader, 612.373.6992