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NRG Reports Strong 2004 Financial Results

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NRG Reports Strong 2004 Financial Results

March 30, 2005 at 7:27 AM EST

PRINCETON, N.J., March 30, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) today reported net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 of $18.1 million, or $0.18 per diluted share. Reported net income for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $185.6 million or $1.85 per diluted share. Income from discontinued operations was $0.2 million during the fourth quarter and $23.5 million or $0.24 per diluted share for the full year. The fourth quarter results included a $60 million before tax mark-to-market gain associated with financial electricity sales executed during the fourth quarter 2004 to hedge the Northeast coal-fired generation primarily related to the first quarter 2005.

Cash provided by operations was $48.6 million and $644 million for the fourth quarter and full year 2004, respectively. Fourth quarter and full year net increase in cash was $5.3 million and $558.8 million, respectively. The $558.8 million result includes $147 million from asset sales and a $100 million net payment from the Xcel Energy settlement.

The Company completed several significant capital transactions during the fourth quarter 2004. These included the issuance of $420 million of preferred securities, the repurchase of 13 million common shares from MatlinPatterson, and the $950 million refinancing of its Senior Debt Facility.

"Our strong execution across all areas of our business in 2004 allowed us to exceed our own financial objectives for the year," said David Crane, NRG President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are also pleased that during the course of achieving such a strong first year result, we succeeded in positioning the Company's balance sheet and asset portfolio as a platform for value-enhancing growth."

Adjusted net income, excluding discontinued operations and other nonrecurring items, was $15.9 million or $0.16 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and $180.2 million or $1.80 per diluted shares for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004. Adjustments were primarily associated with asset impairments, restructuring and relocation charges and litigation settlements (see Table A-1).

Additional Full Year and Fourth Quarter Highlights:

-- $976 million of adjusted EBITDA for 2004 (see Table 1);

-- Reduced net debt to total capital to 49% as of December 31, 2004;

-- Successful implementation of NRG's multi-faceted approach to long-term environmental remediation at our New York coal-fired plants;

-- Record operating reliability across fleet led by Big Cajun II, which set a net generation output record of 10,468,596 megawatt hours (MWh) in 2004; and

-- Strong operating performance internationally, buoyed by completion of the Playford refurbishment and strong summer weather in Australia.

Financial Summary

NRG's fourth quarter net income of $18.1 million and operating revenues of $580.9 million were primarily driven by the solid performance of our Northeast assets and the strong generating output and pool prices in Australia. These favorable results were partially offset by unplanned outages in South Central and the pre-tax impact of $41.2 million of prepayment penalties and a write off for previously deferred financing costs associated with the refinancing of the Senior Debt Facility. Operating expenses were lower primarily due to reduced auxiliary power charges and tax credits. The fourth quarter included $60 million in pretax mark-to-market gains associated with financial electricity sales in the Northeast. This was partially offset by a $6.4 million mark-to-market loss in our Australian operations.

NRG's full-year net income of $185.6 million and operating revenues of $2.4 billion reflect the strong reliability of our assets throughout the year, particularly during the first quarter 2004 when we saw an extreme cold weather condition in the Northeast and strong pool prices during a hot summer in Australia. Full-year results were also impacted by higher revenues from West Coast Power (WCP), our partnership with Dynegy Inc., the favorable settlement of the Connecticut RMR agreement, the $38.5 million FERC-approved settlement with Connecticut Light & Power and tax credits. Expenses incurred in connection with relocation, reorganization, restructuring and impairments aggregated $47.4 million pretax. Included in the full year results were $71.6 million of pretax write-offs for previously deferred financing costs and prepayment premiums associated with first and fourth quarter 2004 refinancings.

Table 1: Adjusted EBITDA by region

(in millions)                                       Q4         2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeast                                           $111       $415
South Central                                        $24       $116
West Coast                                           $50       $185
Australia                                            $10        $70
Other International                                  $20        $92
Other North America                                   $8        $81
Alternative Energy                                   $(4)        $7
Thermal and other Non-Generation                     $11        $50
Corporate - Unallocated                             $(16)      $(39)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                               $214       $976

Northeast: The Northeast region posted a strong fourth quarter with adjusted EBITDA of $111 million. These results included the favorable impact of $60 million in unrealized before tax gains from financial energy sales transactions. Additionally, our Huntley and Dunkirk plants continued to realize the benefits from their conversion to low-sulfur, lower cost Powder River Basin (PRB) coal. Our Indian River facility had higher generation and revenues for the quarter due to the unavailability of other generating facilities in the PJM market. The Northeast also benefited from a settlement that reduced its auxiliary power utility charges.

The Northeast's full-year adjusted EBITDA was due to strong asset performance during extreme weather in January 2004 and the favorable reliability-must-run (RMR) settlement for some our NEPOOL assets. The RMR settlement received final approval from the FERC on January 27, 2005. Northeast operating expenses were lower due to tax credits.

South Central: The South Central region generated $24 million in adjusted EBITDA during the quarter. These results proved to be the weakest quarterly results for the region during the year. Coop and long term customer load demand was strong during the fourth quarter with 2.1 million MWh delivered to such customers. December load volume hit a record high due to unusually cold weather. Consequently, high customer demand limited our ability to sell into the merchant market where prices are generally more favorable than our contracted energy prices. The region's quarterly performance was also adversely affected by a forced outage at one of our three units at our Big Cajun II facility during October 2004, which required the Company to meet its contracted load-following obligations in the merchant market at higher cost than our coal-based generating assets.

For the full year, our South Central region generated $116 million in adjusted EBITDA. During the year, the Company delivered over 8.9 million MWh to our coop and long term customers. These contracted energy revenues were further supplemented by merchant energy sales of 1.7 million MWh. Despite the October forced outage discussed above, our Big Cajun II facility produced a record 10.5 million MWh with a net capacity factor of 80.9% versus 73.4% for 2002. Big Cajun II's equivalent forced outage rate of 4.9% was half of what it was in 2002, marking two consecutive years of operating improvements.

West Coast: The West Coast region's fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA of $50 million was driven primarily by the earnings realized by WCP.

Full-year results of our West Coast region were favorable due to WCP's pricing under the California Department of Water Resources (CDWR) contract with adjusted EBITDA totaling $185 million. Additionally, revenues from ancillary services and minimum load cost compensation power positively contributed to WCP's operating results. As of January 1, 2005 we retired our Long Beach facility following approval from the California ISO as the facility was no longer required for reliability. The power purchase agreement with the CDWR expired on December 31, 2004.

Australia: Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA totaled $10 million. The increased generation from the newly refurbished Playford station and strong pool prices during the quarter offset a generally mild start to the summer season.

Full-year adjusted EBITDA of $70 million was primarily due to the strong first quarter, when Australia experienced a particularly hot summer, driving higher generation and pool prices.

Other North America: Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA totaled $8 million. During the quarter, we successfully closed the sale of our Kendall operation, resulting in $1 million in net sales proceeds and the removal of approximately $450 million in consolidated project-financed debt from our balance sheet. Kendall contributed $5.7 million in EBITDA for the fourth quarter as we continued to see increasing run-time from the asset since it became part of the PJM market.

Other North American assets' full-year adjusted EBITDA totaled $81 million. The results were driven by our Kendall asset and equity investments. Kendall contributed $41.9 million of adjusted EBITDA to the Other North American results, with the balance driven by the performance of the Rockford asset and the Rocky Road and James River equity investments.

Other International:

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $20 million. These results were driven primarily by the Company's German operations, Schkopau and MIBRAG. MIBRAG, a coal mining and power plant operation in which NRG holds a 50% ownership, benefited this quarter as its coal customers were back to full operations after outages in the two prior quarters.

Full-year adjusted EBITDA of $92 million was driven by the German operations, which are largely contracted, and the Enfield investment, which recorded a total of $23 million in unrealized gains associated with its long-term gas contract.

Thermal and Other Non-Generation:

Adjusted EBITDA for Thermal and other Non-Generation through 2004 was primarily from the thermal operations. Thermal's output is largely contracted, providing steam heating to approximately 565 customers and chilled water to 90 customers, resulting in a steady earnings stream.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003 liquidity was $1.57 billion and $1.17 billion respectively as set forth below:

Table 2: Corporate Liquidity      December 31, 2004  December 31, 2003
   (in millions)
Unrestricted Cash:
  Domestic(a)                            921                418
  International                          189                134
Restricted Cash:
  Domestic                                54                 70
  International                           59                 46
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Cash                             1,223                668
Letter of Credit Availability            193                248
Revolver Availability                    150                250
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Liquidity               $1,566             $1,166

(a) $432 million was used to redeem high-yield bonds in January and
    February 2005.

On December 24, 2004, the Company amended and restated its Senior Debt Facility, which now consists of a $450 million Term B loan, a $350 million funded letter of credit facility and a $150 million revolver. The interest rate on the amended Term B loan and Letter of Credit is LIBOR plus 187.5 basis points, a reduction of 212.5 basis points from the original facility.

On December 27, 2004, NRG completed the issuance of $420 million of convertible preferred stock which provided $406 million in net proceeds. The proceeds were used to redeem and cancel $375 million of its high yield notes at 108. This redemption was completed on February 4, 2005. The issuance of the preferred securities also enabled NRG to use available cash balances to repurchase 13 million shares of common stock for $31.16 per share from investment partnerships managed by MatlinPatterson Global Advisers, LLC. This left MatlinPatterson with less than 10% of the common stock, and caused them to relinquish their three board seats and registration rights with respect to their remaining shares.

During the first quarter of 2005, the Company purchased in the market an additional $41 million of high yield notes at an average cost of approximately 108. The face amount of our remaining outstanding high yield notes was $1.35 billion as of March 1, 2005.

Recent Development

On February 25, 2005, the Company collected $70.8 million of an arbitration award arising out of the Company's participation in the TermoRio project in Brazil. Previous to its receipt, that potential award had been carried on the Company's balance sheet at $57.3 million. As a result, the difference of approximately $13 million will be included in the first quarter 2005 earnings. The entire $70.8 million will be included in the Company's first quarter 2005 net cash flow.

2005 Outlook

While the notable weather events (in Australia and the Northeast U.S.) that positively influenced the Company's financial results in the first quarter 2004 have not occurred in 2005, NRG continues to take advantage of the persistently high gas price environment to hedge its baseload coal position for the balance of 2005 and into 2006. As previously disclosed, the Company substantially hedged its baseload coal generation in the Northeast for 2005 early in the fourth quarter of 2004 resulting in a $60 million pretax mark-to-market gain as of year end 2004. While this $60 million is associated with 2005 revenues, FAS 133 requires it to be recorded in fiscal year 2004 results.

The Company's adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2005, excluding unusual or nonrecurring events and assuming normal weather patterns in our core markets, is estimated at $560 million (see Table A-5). This adjusted EBITDA guidance excludes the $60 million mark-to-market gain referred to in the previous paragraph and takes into account the sale during 2004 of Kendall and the projected sale of additional EBITDA-generating assets during 2005. The gross margin associated with this EBITDA estimate is substantially hedged in terms of downside protection while the Company retains the potential to benefit from extreme weather events, locational supply-demand imbalances or gas price spikes through its dual fuel-fired peaking units.

Earnings Conference Call

On March 30, 2005, NRG will host a conference call at 9:00 a.m. EST to discuss these results. To access the live webcast 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 877-407-8035. International callers should dial 201-689-8035. 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.

Annual Meeting

On Tuesday, May 24, 2005, NRG will host its Annual Meeting of Stockholders at the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware beginning at 10:00 am EST.

About NRG

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

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, but are not limited to, expected earnings, future growth and financial performance, and typically can be identified by the use of words such as "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, foreign exchange rates, 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 and related government regulation, the condition of capital markets generally, our ability to access capital markets, unanticipated outages at our generation facilities, our ability to convert facilities to burn western coal, our substantial indebtedness and the possibility that we may incur additional indebtedness, adverse results in current and future litigation, the willingness of counterparties to negotiate new contracts in California, and the amount of proceeds from asset sales.

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 is an estimate as of today's date, March 30, 2005 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.

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

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             Reconciliation of NonGAAP Financial Measures

Appendix Table A-1: Adjusted Net Income Reconciliation
The following table summarizes the calculation of adjusted net income
and provides a reconciliation to GAAP net income/(loss), including
per share amounts
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Three Months Ended    Twelve Months Ended

(Dollars in thousands,      12/31/2004    Diluted  12/31/2004  Diluted
 except per share amounts)                  EPS                  EPS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income (Loss)             $18,137      $0.18    $185,617    $1.85

Plus:
 Fixed Assets Impairments,
  net of tax                    1,498       0.02      26,998     0.27
 (Income) Loss from
  Discontinued Operations,
  net of tax                     (167)     (0.00)     (1,053)   (0.01)
 (Gain) Loss for Discontinued
  Operations                        -          -     (22,419)   (0.22)
 Corporate relocation charges,
  net of tax                    2,233       0.02       9,773     0.10
 Reorganization items,
  net of tax                   (7,093)     (0.07)     (8,094)   (0.08)
 FERC-authorized settlement
  with CL&P, net of tax             -          -     (23,187)   (0.23)
 Write down of Note Receivable,
  net of tax                        -          -       2,764     0.03
 Write downs and (gains)/losses
  on sales of equity method
  investments, net of tax       1,338       0.01       9,835     0.10
                             -----------------------------------------
 Adjusted Net Income         $ 15,946     $ 0.16   $ 180,233   $ 1.80
----------------------------------------------------------------------


Appendix Table A-2: EBITDA Reconciliation
The following table summarizes the calculation of EBITDA and provides
 a reconciliation to net income/(loss):
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Three Months  Twelve Months
                                              Ended          Ended
                                            12/31/2004    12/31/2004

Net Income:                                  $ 18,137     $ 185,617
 Plus:
   Income Tax Expense                             246        65,112
   Interest Expense                            82,901       276,160
   Amortization and Write Downs of Finance
    Costs                                      29,236        51,465
   Amortization of Debt Discount/Premium        2,543        13,308
   Depreciation Expense                        49,748       209,295
   WCP CDWR contract amortization              26,047       115,751
   Amortization of power contracts              6,022        35,316
   Amortization of emission credits             2,991        17,829
                                            --------------------------
EBITDA                                      $ 217,871     $ 969,853
   Fixed Assets Impairments                     2,478        44,661
   Discontinued Operations                       (168)      (23,472)
   Corporate relocation charges                 3,693        16,167
   Reorganization items                       (11,735)      (13,390)
   FERC-authorized settlement with CL&P             -       (38,357)
   Write Down of Note Receivable                    -         4,572
   Write Downs/Loss on Sales of Equity
    Investments                                 2,213        16,270
                                            --------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA                             $ 214,352     $ 976,304
----------------------------------------------------------------------


Appendix Table A-3: Fourth Quarter Regional EBITDA Reconciliation
The following table summarizes the calculation of EBITDA and provides
a reconciliation to net income/(loss):

Three months ending December 31, 2004

                                      South
                            Northeast Central West  Other NA Australia
                            ------------------------------------------

Net Income:                   90,333   7,073 22,770     (287)  (2,745)
  Plus:
  Income Tax Expense/Benefit       -       -     83  (10,794)  (2,643)
  Interest Expense                78   2,084      -    7,788    3,851
  Amortization and Write
   Downs of Finance Costs          -       -      -        -        -
  Amortization of Debt
   Discount/Premium                -     629      -    3,076     (333)
  Depreciation Expense        18,564  15,266    198    1,983    6,837
  WCP CDWR contract
   amortization                    -       - 26,047        -        -
  Amortization of power
   contract                        -  (2,800)   720    2,571    5,316
  Amortization of emission
   credits                     2,484     506      -        -        -
EBITDA                       111,459  22,758 49,818    4,338   10,283
  Fixed Assets Impairments         -     493      -    1,985        -
  Discontinued Operations          -       -      -     (506)       -
  Corporate relocation
   charges                         8       -      -        -        -
  Reorganization items           (35)    312      -       25        -
  Write Downs/Loss on Sales
   of Equity
  Investments                      -       -      -    2,213        -
Adjusted EBITDA              111,432  23,563 49,818    8,055   10,283


                              Other
                               Int'l  Alt. Energy   Non-Gen    Corp
                             -----------------------------------------

Net Income:                   10,310        (6,657)   2,505  (105,165)
  Plus:
  Income Tax Expense/Benefit   1,000           796      997    10,806
  Interest Expense             7,716            41    2,250    59,094
  Amortization and Write
   Downs of Finance Costs          -             -        3    29,233
  Amortization of Debt
   Discount/Premium                -             -     (246)     (584)
  Depreciation Expense           765         1,314    2,748     2,074
  WCP CDWR contract
   amortization                    -             -        -         -
  Amortization of power
   contract                        -             -      215         -
  Amortization of emission
   credits                         -             -        -         -
EBITDA                        19,791        (4,506)   8,472    (4,542)
  Fixed Assets Impairments         -             -        -         -
  Discontinued Operations          -           206        -       133
  Corporate relocation
   charges                         -             -        -     3,686
  Reorganization items             -             -       81   (12,116)
  Write Downs/Loss on Sales
   of Equity
   Investments                     -             -        -         -
Adjusted EBITDA               19,791        (4,300)   8,553   (12,839)


Appendix Table A-4: Full Year Regional EBITDA Reconciliation
The following table summarizes the calculation of EBITDA and provides
a reconciliation to net income/(loss):

Twelve months ending December 31, 2004

                                     South
                          Northeast  Central  West  Other NA Australia
                          --------------------------------------------

Net Income:                 321,814  49,350  65,458  (18,272)   9,600
  Plus:
  Income Tax
   Expense/Benefit                -       -     175   (9,961)  (4,610)
  Interest Expense              791   6,180       3   33,026   12,191
  Amortization and Write
   Downs of Finance Costs         -       -       -        -        -
  Amortization of Debt
   Discount/Premium               -   2,530       -   14,944   (1,002)
  Depreciation Expense       72,665  62,458     800   21,842   24,027
  WCP CDWR contract
   amortization                   -       - 115,751        -        -
  Amortization of power
   contract                   6,374 (13,793)  3,127    9,753   28,998
  Amortization of emission
   credits                   12,836   4,992       -        -        -
EBITDA                      414,480 111,717 185,314   51,333   69,204
  Fixed Assets Impairments      247   2,909       -   26,505        -
  Discontinued Operations         -       -       -  (13,183)       -
  Corporate relocation
   charges                       11       1       -        -        -
  Reorganization items          180     976       -      142        -
  FERC-authorized
   settlement with CL&P           -       -       -        -        -
  Write Down of Note
   Receivable                     -       -       -    4,572        -
  Write Downs/Loss on
   Sales of Equity
   Investments                    -       -       -   11,172    1,268
Adjusted EBITDA             414,918 115,603 185,314   80,541   70,472



                                          Alt.
                             Other Int'l  Energy  Non-Gen      Corp
                            ------------------------------------------

Net Income:                       78,079    703    61,902    (383,017)
  Plus:
  Income Tax Expense/Benefit      12,872 (1,224)    5,033      62,827
  Interest Expense                10,769    455     9,477     203,269
  Amortization and Write
   Downs of Finance Costs              -      -         3      51,462
  Amortization of Debt
   Discount/Premium                    -    (10)   (1,061)     (2,094)
  Depreciation Expense             2,834  5,293    11,318       8,058
  WCP CDWR contract
   amortization                        -      -         -           -
  Amortization of power
   contract                            -      -       857           -
  Amortization of emission
   credits                             -      -         -           -
EBITDA                           104,554  5,217    87,529     (59,494)
  Fixed Assets Impairments             -      -         -      15,000
  Discontinued Operations        (12,358)(2,457)        -       4,526
  Corporate relocation
   charges                             -      -         -      16,155
  Reorganization items                 -      -       513     (15,202)
  FERC-authorized settlement
   with CL&P                           -      -   (38,357)          -
  Write Down of Note
   Receivable                          -      -         -           -
  Write Downs/Loss on Sales
   of Equity
   Investments                         -  3,830         -           -
Adjusted EBITDA                   92,196  6,594    49,685     (39,014)



Appendix Table A-5: Forecasted EBITDA Reconciliation
The following table summarizes the calculation of adjusted EBITDA and
 provides a reconciliation to forecasted cash flow from operations:
----------------------------------------------------------------------


$ in millions                                                  Outlook
EBITDA                                                           $575
      Discontinued Operations and Unusual Charges                 (15)
Adjusted EBITDA                                                   560
     Interest Payments                                           (201)
     Income Tax                                                   (24)
     Other Cash Used by Operations                                 12
     Working Capital Changes                                      116
Cash Flow from Operations                                        $463

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income 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 adjusted net income 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 losses on the sales of equity method investments; 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.

Similar to Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income represents net income adjusted for reorganization, restructuring, impairment and corporate relocation charges, discontinued operations, and write downs and losses on the sales of equity method investments; 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. In addition, in evaluating adjusted net income, the reader should be aware that in the future NRG may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in this news release.

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS



                                              Quarter     Year ended
                                                ended
                                            December 31,  December 31,
                                                2004          2004
                                             -----------    ----------
                                            (In thousands, except per
                                                  share amounts)
Operating Revenues
 Revenues from majority-owned operations....$   580,873    $2,361,424
                                             -----------    ----------
Operating Costs and Expenses
  Cost of majority-owned operations.........    378,315     1,494,336
Depreciation and amortization...............     49,748       209,295
 General, administrative and development....     74,795       211,240
Other charges (credits).....................
 Corporate relocation charges...............      3,693        16,167
 Reorganization items.......................    (11,734)      (13,390)
 Restructuring and impairment charges.......      2,478        44,661
 Fresh start reporting adjustments..........         --            --
 Legal settlement...........................         --            --
                                             -----------    ----------
  Total operating costs and expenses........    497,295     1,962,309
                                             -----------    ----------
Operating Income/(Loss).....................     83,578       399,115
                                             -----------    ----------
Other Income/(Expense)
Minority interest in earnings of
 consolidated subsidiaries..................       (464)       (1,045)
 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
  affiliates................................     42,638       159,825
Write downs and losses on sales of equity
 method investments.........................     (2,213)      (16,270)
Other income, net...........................      9,355        26,565
Refinancing expenses........................    (41,152)      (71,569)
Interest expense............................    (73,527)     (269,364)
                                             -----------    ----------
  Total other expense.......................    (65,363)     (171,858)
                                             -----------    ----------
Income/(Loss) From Continuing
 Operations Before Income Taxes.............     18,215       227,257
Income Tax Expense/(Benefit)................        246        65,112
                                             -----------    ----------
Income/(Loss) From Continuing Operations....     17,969       162,145
Income/(Loss) on Discontinued Operations,
 net of Income Taxes........................        168        23,472
                                             -----------    ----------
Net Income/(Loss)...........................$    18,137    $  185,617
                                             ===========    ==========
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares
 Outstanding -- Basic.......................     98,456        99,616
Income From Continuing Operations per
 Weighted Average Common Share -- Basic.....$      0.18    $     1.62
Income From Discontinued Operations per
 Weighted Average Common Share -- Basic.....       0.00          0.24
Net Income per Weighted Average Common Share
 -- Basic...................................$      0.18    $     1.86
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares
 Outstanding -- Diluted.....................     98,978       100,371
Income From Continuing Operations per
 Weighted Average Common Share -- Diluted...$      0.18    $     1.62
Income From Discontinued Operations per
 Weighted Average Common Share -- Diluted...       0.00          0.23
Net Income per Weighted Average Common
 Shares -- Diluted..........................$      0.18    $     1.85



NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



                                             December 31, December 31,
                                                 2004        2003
                                             -------------------------
                                                  (In thousands)
Current Assets
 Cash and cash equivalents................... $1,110,045     $551,223
 Restricted cash.............................    112,824      116,067
Accounts receivable-trade, less allowance for
 doubtful accounts of  $1,011 and $0.........    272,101      201,921
Xcel Energy settlement receivable............         --      640,000
 Current portion of notes receivable and
  other investments -- affiliates............         --          200
 Current portion of notes receivable and
  other investments..........................     85,447       65,141
Income taxes receivable......................     37,484           --
Inventory....................................    248,010      194,926
Derivative instruments valuation.............     79,759          772
Prepayments and other current assets.........    169,608      222,138
 Deferred income taxes.......................         --        1,850
 Current assets -- discontinued operations...      3,010      119,601
                                             -------------------------
   Total current assets......................  2,118,288    2,113,839
                                             -------------------------
Property, Plant and Equipment
In service...................................  3,564,658    3,885,465
Under construction...........................     17,429      139,171
                                             -------------------------
   Total property, plant and equipment.......  3,582,087    4,024,636
 Less accumulated depreciation...............   (207,536)     (11,800)
                                             -------------------------
Net property, plant and equipment............  3,374,551    4,012,836
                                             -------------------------
Other Assets
 Equity investments in affiliates............    734,950      737,998
Notes receivable and other investments, less
 current portion -- affiliates, less reserve
 for uncollectible notes receivable of $4,402
 and $0......................................    128,046      130,152
Notes receivable and other investments, less
 current portion, less reserve for
 uncollectible notes receivable of $3,794 and
 $0..........................................    676,476      691,444
Decommissioning fund investments.............      4,954        4,809
Intangible assets, net of accumulated
 amortization of $55,010 and $5,212..........    294,350      432,361
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated
 amortization of $3,635 and $454.............     48,485       74,337
Derivative instruments valuation.............     41,787       59,907
Funded letter of credit......................    350,000      250,000
Other assets.................................     58,141      114,131
Non-current assets -- discontinued operations         --      623,173
                                             -------------------------
   Total other assets........................  2,337,189    3,118,312
                                             -------------------------
Total Assets................................. $7,830,028   $9,244,987
                                             =========================


NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS -- (Continued)


                                             December 31, December 31,
                                                 2004        2003
                                             -------------------------
                                                  (In thousands)
Current Liabilities
 Current portion of long-term debt and
  capital leases.............................   $512,252     $801,229
Short-term debt..............................         --       19,019
Accounts payable -- trade....................    166,131      158,646
Accounts payable -- affiliates...............      5,591        3,092
Accrued income taxes.........................         --       16,095
Accrued property, sales and other taxes......     11,134       22,301
Accrued salaries, benefits and related costs.     35,206       19,330
Accrued interest.............................     11,057        8,982
Derivative instruments valuation.............     16,772          429
 Deferred income taxes.......................        334           --
 Creditor pool obligation....................         --      540,000
Other bankruptcy settlement..................    175,576      220,000
Other current liabilities....................    152,526      102,861
 Current liabilities -- discontinued
  operations.................................      1,362      114,197
                                             -------------------------
  Total current liabilities..................  1,087,941    2,026,181
Other Liabilities
 Long-term debt and capital leases...........  3,253,866    3,327,782
Deferred income taxes........................    134,325      149,493
Postretirement and other benefit obligations.    116,383      105,946
Derivative instruments valuation.............    148,445      153,503
Other long-term obligations..................    389,719      480,938
Non-current liabilities -- discontinued
 operations..................................      1,081      558,884
                                             -------------------------
  Total non-current liabilities..............  4,043,819    4,776,546
                                             -------------------------
  Total liabilities..........................  5,131,760    6,802,727
                                             -------------------------
Minority interest............................      6,104        5,004
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
4% Convertible perpetual preferred stock;
 $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares
 authorized, 420,000 issued and outstanding
 at December 31, 2004 (shown at liquidation
 value net of issuance costs)................    406,359
Common stock; $.01 par value; 500,000,000
 shares authorized; 100,041,935 and
 100,000,000 shares issued at December 31,
 2004 and 2003; 87,041,935 and 100,000,000
 outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003...      1,000        1,000
Additional paid-in capital...................  2,417,021    2,403,429
Retained earnings............................    196,642       11,025
Less treasury stock, at cost - 13,000,000
 shares......................................   (405,312)          --
Accumulated other comprehensive income.......     76,454       21,802
                                             -------------------------
   Total stockholders' equity................  2,692,164    2,437,256
                                             -------------------------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity... $7,830,028   $9,244,987
                                             =========================


NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                  Year Ended
                                                 December 31,
                                                    2004
                                                --------------
                                                (In thousands)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income/(loss)...............................     $185,617
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to
 net cash provided by operating activities
Distributions in excess of (less than) equity
 earnings of unconsolidated affiliates..........       (1,062)
 Depreciation and amortization..................      214,620
 Reserve for note and interest receivable.......       11,737
 Amortization of financing costs and debt
  discount/(premium)............................       27,659
 Write-off of deferred financing costs due to
  refinancings..................................       42,137
 Write downs and losses on sales of equity
  method investments............................       16,270
 Deferred income taxes and investment tax
  credits.......................................       57,238
 Unrealized (gains)/losses on derivatives.......      (73,792)
 Minority interest..............................        1,046
 Amortization of out of market power contracts..       51,652
 Amortization of unearned equity compensations..       13,592
 Restructuring and impairment charges...........       44,661
 Fresh start reporting adjustments..............           --
 Gain on sale of discontinued operations........      (22,419)
 Cash provided by (used in) changes in certain
  working capital items, net of effects from
  acquisitions and dispositions
Accounts receivable, net........................      (51,471)
 Xcel Energy settlement receivable..............      640,000
 Inventory......................................      (55,613)
 Prepayments and other current assets...........       48,772
 Accounts payable...............................        6,905
 Accrued expenses...............................      (21,163)
 Creditor pool obligation payments..............     (540,000)
 Other current liabilities......................        7,242
 Other assets and liabilities...................       40,365
                                                --------------
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities      643,993
                                                --------------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations...      252,676
Proceeds from sale of investments...............       50,693
Proceeds from sale of turbines..................           --
Decrease/(increase) in restricted cash and trust
 funds..........................................      (26,443)
Decrease/(increase) in notes receivable.........       25,109
 Capital expenditures...........................     (114,360)
Investments in projects.........................       (2,990)
                                                --------------
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Investing Activities      184,685
                                                --------------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock.......      406,359
Proceeds from issuance of stock.................           --
Purchase of treasury stock......................     (405,312)
 Capital contributions from parent..............           --
Net borrowings under line of credit agreement...           --
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt........    1,332,671
Deferred debt issuance costs....................      (25,506)
Funded letter of credit.........................     (100,000)
Principal payments on short and long-term debt..   (1,491,946)
                                                --------------
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities     (283,734)
                                                --------------
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash
 Equivalents....................................        3,007
Change in Cash from Discontinued Operations.....       10,871
                                                --------------
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents.......      558,822
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period      551,223
                                                --------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period......   $1,110,045
                                                ==============

SOURCE: NRG Energy, Inc.

Untitled Document
Contact:
Investor Relations
Media Relations


Nahla Azmy
Meredith Moore
Director, Investor Relations
Director, Communications
609.524.4526
609.524.4522

Katy Sullivan
Manager, Investor Relations
609.524.4527
NRG Energy, Inc. Meredith Moore, 609-524-4522 (Media Relations) or Nahla Azmy, 609-524-4526 (Investor Relations) or Katy Sullivan, 609-524-4527 (Investor Relations) -->