1 PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT (TO PROSPECTUS DATED APRIL 7, 1999) [NRG LOGO] $300,000,000 NRG ENERGY, INC. 7 1/2% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2009 ------------------ The notes will bear interest at the rate of 7 1/2% per year. Interest on the notes is payable in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 1999. The notes will mature on June 1, 2009. Interest on the notes will accrue from the date of delivery. We may redeem some or all of the notes at any time. The redemption prices are discussed under the caption "Description of Notes -- Optional Redemption." The notes will be senior obligations of ours and will rank equally with all of our unsecured senior indebtedness. ------------------ INVESTING IN THE NOTES INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE S-6. ------------------ Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the related prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. ------------------ ------------------ The underwriters are offering the notes subject to various conditions. The underwriters expect to deliver the notes to purchasers in book-entry form only, through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, on or about May 25, 1999. ------------------ SALOMON SMITH BARNEY ABN AMRO INCORPORATED BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC MERRILL LYNCH & CO. May 20, 1999
PER SENIOR NOTE TOTAL --------------- ------------ Public Offering Price 99.970% $299,910,000 Underwriting Discount 0.650% $ 1,950,000 Proceeds to NRG Energy, Inc. (before expenses) 99.320% $297,960,000 2 YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH DIFFERENT INFORMATION. WE ARE NOT MAKING AN OFFER OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER IS NOT PERMITTED. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THIS SUPPLEMENT OR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THE DATE ON THE FRONT OF THIS SUPPLEMENT. ------------------ TABLE OF CONTENTS i
PAGE ---- PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT Prospectus Supplement Summary............................... S-1 Risk Factors................................................ S-6 Business.................................................... S-14 Use of Proceeds............................................. S-22 Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data.............. S-23 Earnings to Fixed Charges Ratio............................. S-25 Description of Notes........................................ S-26 Underwriting................................................ S-29 Legal Matters............................................... S-30 PROSPECTUS Where You Can Find More Information......................... 2 Forward Looking Statements.................................. 2 The Company................................................. 3 Use of Proceeds............................................. 3 Earnings to Fixed Charges Ratio............................. 4 Description of Debt Securities.............................. 4 Plan of Distribution........................................ 13 Legal Matters............................................... 14 Experts..................................................... 14 3 PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY The following summary is qualified in its entirety by and should be read together with the more detailed information and financial statements included or incorporated by reference in this supplement and the accompanying prospectus. THE COMPANY We are one of the leading participants in the independent power generation industry. We are principally engaged in the acquisition, development and operation of, and ownership of interests in, independent power production and co-generation facilities, thermal energy production and transmission facilities, landfill gas collection and generation facilities and resource recovery facilities. The power generation facilities in which we currently have interests, including those under construction, as of December 31, 1998 have a total design capacity of 10,605 megawatts ("MW"), of which we have or will have total or shared operational responsibility for 6,966 MW and net ownership of, or leasehold interests in, 3,300 MW. In addition, we have substantial interests in district heating and cooling systems and steam generation and transmission operations. As of December 31, 1998, these thermal businesses had a steam capacity of approximately 3,750 million British thermal units per hour (mmBtu/hr.), of which our equity interest was 2,905 mmBtu/hr. Our refuse-derived fuel plants processed more than 1,350,000 tons of municipal solid waste into approximately 1,100,000 tons of refuse-derived fuel during 1998. We were established in 1989 and are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern States Power Company ("NSP"). Our headquarters and principal executive offices are located at 1221 Nicollet Mall, Suite 700, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403. Our telephone number is (612) 373-5300. STRATEGY We intend to continue to grow through a combination of acquisitions and greenfield development of power generation, thermal energy production and transmission facilities and related assets in the United States and abroad. We believe that our facility operations and engineering expertise, fuel and environmental strategies, labor and government relations expertise and legal and financial skills give us a competitive advantage in the independent power market. We also believe that our experience in meeting or exceeding applicable environmental regulatory standards and our environmental compliance record will give us an advantage as regulators continue to impose increasingly stringent environmental requirements on the operation of power generation facilities. In addition, we continue to have access to technical and administrative support from NSP on a contract basis to augment our own expertise. We believe the knowledge and expertise we have gained in the financial and legal restructuring of our existing facilities, as well as our engineering expertise and reputation with respect to environmental compliance and labor relations, can be effectively employed in the development of both domestic and international greenfield projects. In the United States, our near-term focus will be primarily on the acquisition of existing power generation capacity and thermal energy production and transmission facilities, particularly in situations in which our expertise can be applied to improve the operating and financial performance of the facilities. In the international market, we will continue to pursue development and acquisition opportunities in those countries in which we believe that the legal, political and economic environment is conducive to increased foreign investment. We expect to acquire or develop most domestic and international projects on a joint venture basis. Where appropriate, we will include a local or host country partner or a partner with substantial experience in the area. Although we exercise flexibility in structuring our investments in projects, our goal is to own a 20% to 50% equity interest in, and have operating control or influence over, the projects in which we invest. S-1 4 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS RECENT AND PENDING ACQUISITIONS We have completed or we expect to complete several acquisitions for domestic projects located on both the East and West coasts as a result of entering into several binding purchase agreements since October 1998. These completed or pending acquisitions include the following assets: EAST COAST - On April 26, 1999, we completed the purchase of the Somerset power station from Eastern Utilities Associates ("EUA") for approximately $55 million. The Somerset station is located in Somerset, Massachusetts and consists of two coal-fired generating facilities supplying a total of 181 MW and two aeroderivative combustion peaking units supplying a total of 48 MW. We hold a 100% interest in the project and will own, operate and maintain the units. - In April 1999, we executed an acquisition agreement with Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation to purchase the 1,700 MW oil/gas fired Oswego generating station, located in Oswego, New York for approximately $91 million. The purchase price reflects the agreement of Rochester Gas & Electric, 24% owner of one of the two 850 MW units, to sell its share of that unit. This transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 1999, pending regulatory approval. - In January 1999, we executed an acquisition agreement with Consolidated Edison Company of New York to acquire the Astoria gas turbines facility and the Arthur Kill generating station for $505 million. These facilities, located in New York, have a combined summer capacity rating of 1,456 MW. This transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 1999, pending regulatory approval. - In December 1998, we executed acquisition agreements with Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation to purchase the Dunkirk and Huntley coal-fired generating facilities located near Buffalo, New York for $355 million. These facilities have a combined summer capacity rating of 1,360 MW. This transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 1999, pending regulatory approval. We intend to aggregate these assets into a regional generating company, NRG Northeast Generating LLC, and finance the acquisition of these assets on a pooled basis with nonrecourse debt and our equity. A portion of our equity is expected to come from the proceeds of this offering. WEST COAST In December 1998, Dynegy Inc. and we signed acquisition agreements with San Diego Gas & Electric to jointly acquire 1,218 MW of power generating facilities for $356 million. These facilities are the 965 MW Encina Power Plant located adjacent to the Pacific Ocean in Carlsbad, California and seventeen combustion turbines totaling 253 MW located on seven different sites in San Diego County, California. Dynegy Inc. and we will each own 50% of these facilities. We expect these transactions to close in the second quarter of 1999, pending regulatory approval. Dynegy Inc. and we intend to aggregate the Encina Power Plant, the San Diego combustion turbines and other jointly owned assets into a regional generating company, West Coast Power LLC, and finance the acquisition of the assets on a pooled basis with nonrecourse debt as well as equity from both us and Dynegy Inc. A portion of our equity is expected to come from the proceeds of this offering. S-2 5 PROPOSED MERGER OF NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY On March 24, 1999, NSP and New Century Energies, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("NCE"), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger providing for a strategic business combination of NCE and NSP. Pursuant to the merger agreement, NCE will be merged with and into NSP with NSP as the surviving corporation in the merger. Subject to the terms of the merger agreement, at the time of the merger, each share of NCE common stock, other than certain shares to be canceled, together with any associated purchase rights, will be converted into the right to receive 1.55 shares of NSP common stock. The merger is expected to be a tax-free stock-for-stock exchange for shareholders of both companies and to be accounted for as a pooling of interests. Consummation of the merger is subject to certain closing conditions, including, among others, approval by the shareholders of NSP and NCE, approval or regulatory review by certain state utilities regulators, the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and expiration or termination of the waiting period applicable to the merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Each of NCE and NSP have agreed to certain undertakings and limitations regarding the conduct of their businesses prior to the closing of the transaction, some of which impact us, but none of which materially impact the conduct of our business. The merger is expected to take from 12 to 18 months to complete. S-3 6 THE OFFERING Securities Offered............ $300,000,000 principal amount of 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2009. Maturity Date................. June 1, 2009. Interest Payment Dates........ June 1 and December 1, commencing December 1, 1999. Ranking....................... The notes will be senior unsecured obligations and will rank pari passu with all of our senior unsecured indebtedness. All existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries and affiliates will be effectively senior to the notes. Ratings....................... The notes have been assigned ratings of "BBB-" by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group and "Baa3" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Optional Redemption........... We may redeem the notes at any time, and, if redeemed before June 1, 2009, we may be required to pay a redemption premium. Sinking Fund.................. None. Change of Control............. Upon a "Change of Control" (as defined on page 7), a holder of notes may require us to repurchase that holder's notes, in whole or in part, at 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest. A Change of Control will not be deemed to have occurred if, after giving effect thereto, the notes are rated BBB- or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group and Baa3 or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Use of Proceeds............... The net proceeds from the sale of the notes is estimated to be approximately $298.0 million. A portion of the net proceeds of this offering will be used to finance our equity investment in connection with pending acquisitions. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include financing the development and construction of new facilities, additions to working capital, reductions of our indebtedness and our subsidiaries' indebtedness, financing of capital expenditures and potential acquisitions. S-4 7 SUMMARY AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA The following summary historical financial data is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. All dollar amounts are set forth in thousands. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME DATA: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND OTHER DATA:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------ 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Revenues from wholly-owned operations......................... $ 63,970 $ 64,180 $ 71,649 $ 92,052 $ 100,424 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates......................... 32,155 28,639 34,315 26,200 81,706 Operating costs and expenses......... (63,529) (75,465) (84,188) (100,143) (125,118) -------- -------- -------- --------- --------- Operating income..................... 32,596 17,354 21,776 18,109 57,012 Other income (expense)(1)............ (586) 22,657 (7,453) (19,618) (40,934) Income tax benefit (expense)(2)...... (2,472) (8,810) 5,655 23,491 25,654 -------- -------- -------- --------- --------- Net income........................... $ 29,538 $ 31,201 $ 19,978 $ 21,982 $ 41,732 ======== ======== ======== ========= ========= - ------------------------- (1) Includes pretax charges of $5.0 million, $5.0 million, $1.5 million, $9.0 million and $26.7 million in the years 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively, to write-down the carrying value of certain energy projects. These amounts also include the gain on sale of our interest in projects of $8.7 million in 1997 and $30.0 million in 1998. (2) We have substantial tax credits which can be utilized by NSP. NSP pays us for these tax credits as they are used. S-5
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, -------------------------------------------------------- 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Net property, plant and equipment... $107,634 $111,919 $129,649 $ 185,891 $ 204,729 Net equity investments in projects.......................... 164,863 221,129 365,749 694,655 800,924 Total assets........................ 376,570 454,589 680,809 1,168,102 1,293,426 Long-term debt, including current maturities........................ 93,339 90,034 212,141 620,855 626,476 Stockholder's equity................ 234,722 319,764 421,914 450,698 579,332 Percentage of total debt to capitalization.................... 28.5% 22.0% 33.5% 57.9% 52.0% Our net power generating capacity (MW).............................. 992 999 1,326 2,637 3,300 8 RISK FACTORS Before purchasing the notes you should carefully consider the following risk factors as well as the other information contained in this supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the information incorporated by reference in order to evaluate an investment in the notes. INVESTMENTS IN LESS THAN 100% OWNED PROJECTS LIMIT OUR CONTROL. Our ability to control the development, construction, acquisition or operation of project investments and joint ventures is limited because most of our current project investments consist of minority interests in project affiliates (i.e., where we beneficially own 50% or less of the ownership interests). A substantial portion of our future investments in projects may also take the form of minority interests. As a result, the indenture for the notes does not contain any limitations on our ability to make minority investments. Although we seek to exert a degree of influence with respect to the management and operation of projects in which we are a minority investor by negotiating to receive certain limited governance rights (such as rights to veto significant actions or to obtain positions on management committees), we may not always succeed in such negotiations. We may be dependent on our co-venturers to construct and operate such projects. We cannot assure you that our co-venturers will have the same level of experience, technical expertise, human resources management and other attributes that we possess. Any co-venturer may have conflicts of interest, including those relating to its status as a provider of goods or services to the project. The approval of co-venturers also may be required for us to receive distributions of funds from projects. WE ARE UNCERTAIN ABOUT ACCESS TO CAPITAL FOR FUTURE PROJECTS. We require continued access to debt capital from outside sources on acceptable terms in order to assure the success of future projects and acquisitions. Our ability to arrange financing on a substantially non-recourse basis and the costs of such capital are dependent on numerous factors, including general economic and capital market conditions, credit availability from banks and other financial institutions, investor confidence in us, our partners and in the local independent power market, the success of current projects, the perceived quality of new projects and provisions of tax and securities laws that are conducive to raising capital in this manner. In order to access capital on a substantially non-recourse basis in the future, we may have to make larger equity investments in, or provide more financial support for, our project subsidiaries. To date, the equity capital for our projects has been provided by equity contributions from NSP and, to a lesser extent, internally-generated cash flow from our projects as well as other borrowings. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in structuring the financing for our projects on a substantially non-recourse basis or that we will obtain sufficient additional equity capital from NSP, project cash flow or additional borrowings to enable us to fund the equity commitments required for future projects. OUR HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE LIMITS OUR ABILITY TO SERVICE INDEBTEDNESS. The notes will be exclusively our obligations and not those of any of our project subsidiaries or project affiliates. As a result, all existing and future liabilities of our direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates will be effectively senior to the notes. Because substantially all of our operations are conducted by our project subsidiaries and project affiliates, our cash flow and our ability to service our indebtedness, including our ability to pay the interest on and principal of the notes when due, will be dependent upon our receipt of cash dividends and distributions or other transfers from our project and other subsidiaries. The debt agreements of our subsidiaries and project affiliates generally restrict their ability to pay dividends, make distributions or otherwise transfer funds to us. The restrictions in such S-6 9 agreements generally require that, prior to and after giving effect to the payment of dividends, distributions or other transfers: - such subsidiaries or project affiliates meet certain financial performance or coverage ratios, - no default or event of default shall have occurred, and - the subsidiary or project affiliate proposing to pay the dividend, distribution or other transfer must provide for the payment of other current or prospective obligations, including operating expenses, debt service and reserves. Our subsidiaries and project affiliates are separate and distinct legal entities that have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the notes or to make any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans or other payments, and they do not guarantee the payment of interest on, or principal of, the notes. We own a minority interest in most of our projects, and therefore we are unable unilaterally to cause dividends or distributions to be made to us from these operations. Any right we may have to receive assets of any of our subsidiaries or project affiliates upon a liquidation or reorganization of such subsidiaries or project affiliates (and the consequent right of holders of the notes to participate in the distribution of, or to realize proceeds from, those assets) will be effectively subordinated to the claims of any such subsidiary's or project affiliate's creditors, including trade creditors and holders of debt issued by such subsidiary or project affiliate. The indenture for the notes does not impose any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries or project affiliates to incur additional indebtedness or to permit contractual restrictions on the distribution of cash to us. As part of our global tax strategy, we intend to maintain our earnings from foreign investments offshore, for reinvestment in other foreign projects. For this reason, we intend to utilize the cash from our domestic operations including principal and interest received from the repayment of loans made by us to our foreign affiliates to make the payments with respect to the notes. We cannot assure you that cash available from our domestic operations and the repayment of the loans made to our foreign affiliates will be sufficient to make the payments under the notes as and when due. If we elect to repatriate earnings from our foreign operations to make these payments in case of such a shortfall, then we may incur United States taxes, net of any available foreign tax credits, on the repatriation of such foreign earnings. As a result of these additional taxes, we cannot assure you that the foreign earnings would be sufficient to make the payments on the notes as and when due. WE HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF INDEBTEDNESS. As of December 31, 1998, we had total recourse debt of $513.0 million, with an additional $113.4 million of non-recourse debt appearing on our balance sheet. The percentage of our total recourse debt to capitalization was 47% as of December 31, 1998. The indenture imposes no limitations on our ability to incur additional indebtedness. Our substantial amount of debt and the debt of our project subsidiaries and project affiliates presents the risk that we might not generate sufficient cash to service our indebtedness, including the notes, and that our leveraged capital structure could limit our ability to finance the acquisition and development of additional projects, to compete effectively or to operate successfully under adverse economic conditions. In addition, under certain of the instruments governing our debt, including our credit facility and indentures governing our other outstanding public debt, such debt may be accelerated upon certain events of default or if we undergo a change of control. As a result, if any such event were to occur, we may not have sufficient capital to fully pay holders of notes the amount due under the notes or to redeem any notes tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described under "Description of Debt Securities -- Change of Control" in the attached prospectus. S-7 10 WE DEPEND ON AND ARE CONTROLLED BY NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY. NSP is our sole stockholder. Since our formation, NSP has provided all of our equity funding for our business and operations. Our only other source of funding has been our borrowings and internally-generated cash flow from our existing projects and investments. We cannot assure you that NSP will contribute additional equity capital to us in the future. In the absence of continued equity contributions, we cannot assure you that we will have access to sufficient capital to fund our obligations with respect to our existing projects or to undertake new acquisition and development projects. In addition, as a result of the pending NSP merger with NCE, we cannot assure you that NSP will continue to act with respect to us as it has in the past. NSP is also not required to continue to hold our stock. As our sole stockholder, NSP has the power to control the election of the directors and all other matters submitted for stockholder approval and may be deemed to have control over our management and affairs. Currently, there are no outside directors on our board of directors. In circumstances involving a conflict of interest between NSP, as the sole stockholder, on the one hand, and our creditors on the other, we cannot assure you that NSP would not exercise its power to control us in a manner that would benefit NSP to the detriment of the holders of notes. NSP has policies in place, pursuant to applicable law, to ensure that its ratepayers are protected from affiliate transactions that may be adverse to the ratepayers' interests. The indenture imposes no limitations on our ability to pay dividends or to make other payments to NSP or on our ability to enter into transactions with NSP or our other affiliates. In addition, NSP is an important customer of, and supplier to, certain of our businesses in the United States. We purchase steam production services from NSP for our Rock-Tenn and Washco steam transmission lines and sell refuse-derived fuel to NSP from our Newport resource recovery facility. We provide management, operation and maintenance services for the Elk River resource recovery facility and we dispose of the Elk River facility's refuse-derived fuel ash at NSP's Becker ash landfill. The failure of NSP to comply with its obligations to us under the agreements governing such sales and services could have a material adverse effect on our revenues from these projects. WE DO SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES. A key component of our business strategy is the development or acquisition of projects outside the United States. The economic and political conditions in certain countries where we have interests or in which we are or could be exploring development or acquisition opportunities present risks of delays in permitting and licensing, construction delays and interruption of business, as well as risks of war, expropriation, nationalization, renegotiation or nullification of existing contracts and changes in law or tax policy, that are greater than in the United States. The uncertainty of the legal environment in certain foreign countries in which we may develop or acquire projects could make it more difficult to obtain non-recourse project financing on suitable terms and could impair our ability to enforce our rights under agreements relating to such projects. Operations in foreign countries also can present currency exchange, inflation, convertibility and repatriation risks. In certain countries in which we may develop or acquire projects in the future, economic and monetary conditions and other factors could affect our ability to convert our earnings to United States dollars or other hard currencies or to move funds offshore from such countries. Furthermore, the central bank of any such country may have the authority in certain circumstances to suspend, restrict or otherwise impose conditions on foreign exchange transactions or to approve distributions to foreign investors. Although we generally seek to structure our power purchase agreements and other project revenue agreements to provide for payments to be made in, or indexed to, United States dollars or a currency freely convertible into United States dollars, we cannot assure S-8 11 you that we will be able to achieve this structure in all cases or that a power purchaser or other customer will be able to obtain sufficient dollars or other hard currency to pay such obligations. As part of privatizations or other acquisition opportunities, we may make investments in ancillary businesses not directly related to power generation, thermal energy production and transmission or resource recovery and in which our management may not have had prior experience. In such cases, our policy is to attract partners with the necessary expertise. However, we cannot assure you that such persons will be available as co-venturers in every case. In addition, as a condition to participating in privatizations and refurbishments of formerly state-owned businesses, we may be required to undertake transitional obligations relating to union contracts, employment levels and benefits obligations for employees, which could prevent or delay the achievement of desirable operating efficiencies and financial performance. OUR ACQUISITIONS AND DEVELOPMENTS MAY NOT BE PROFITABLE. The development projects and acquisitions in which we may invest in the future, including those described herein, may be large and complex, and we may not be able to complete the development or acquisition of any such project. Development projects and acquisitions require us to expend significant sums for engineering, permitting, legal, financial advisory and other expenses in preparation for competitive bids that we may not win or before it can be determined whether a project is feasible, economically attractive or capable of being financed. We cannot assure you that the projects that we pursue, and on which we may spend significant sums, will prove to be desirable project investments, or that we will be able to win any such competitive bids, obtain new power purchase agreements, overcome any local opposition, or obtain the necessary agreements, contracts, licenses, certifications and permits necessary for the successful development of new projects and acquisition of interests in existing projects. We may fail to acquire or develop projects despite having incurred significant expenses. For instance, if we failed to complete either of the pending asset acquisitions from Consolidated Edison Company of New York or Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, as discussed in the "Summary," such failure could have a significant impact on our forecasted financial results. Even if we are successful in the development or acquisition of an interest in a project, we may require substantial additional debt or equity financing for such projects, which additional financing may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Most acquisition agreements and power purchase agreements permit the seller or customer, respectively, to terminate the agreement or impose penalties if the acquisition or operation of the project, as the case may be, is not achieved by a specified date. WE FACE STRONG COMPETITORS. The independent power industry is characterized by numerous strong and capable competitors, some of which have more extensive developmental or operating experience, more extensive experience in the acquisition and development of power generation capacity, larger staffs and greater financial resources than we do. Further, in recent years, the domestic independent power industry has been characterized by strong and increasing competition which has contributed to a reduction in priced offered by utilities for power produced by independent power producers and has resulted in lower returns to project investors. Many of our competitors also are seeking attractive opportunities, both in the United States and abroad. This competition may adversely affect our ability to make investments or acquisitions on terms favorable to us. many foreign and domestic utilities are now engaging in "competitive bid" solicitations for new capacity demands or acquisitions. S-9 12 CONSTRUCTION AND START-UP OF FACILITIES COULD ENCOUNTER UNFORESEEN PROBLEMS. The construction, expansion or refurbishment of a power generation, thermal energy production and transmission facility or resource recovery facility involves many risks, including supply interruptions, work stoppages, labor disputes, weather interferences, unforeseen engineering, environmental and geological problems and unanticipated cost overruns. The commencement of operation of such newly-constructed, expanded or refurbished facilities also involves many risks, including the breakdown or failure of equipment or processes and test performance below expected levels of output or efficiency. New plants may employ recently developed and technologically complex equipment, especially in the case of newer environmental emission control technology. While insurance is maintained to protect against certain risks, warranties are obtained from vendors for limited periods and contractors are obligated to meet certain performance levels, the proceeds of such insurance, warranties or performance guarantees may not be adequate to cover lost revenues, increased expenses or liquidated damages payments. As a result, a project may operate at a loss and be unable to fund principal and interest payments under its project financing agreements, which may allow the affected lenders to accelerate such debt. In addition, many power and thermal energy purchase agreements permit the customer to terminate the agreement, retain security posted by the developer as liquidated damages or change the payments to be made to the project subsidiary or the project affiliate in the event certain milestones, such as commencing commercial operation of the project, are not met by specified dates. In the event such a termination right is exercised, a project may not commence generating revenues, the default provisions in a financing agreement may be triggered, rendering such debt immediately due and payable, and the project may be rendered insolvent as a result. OPERATING BELOW EXPECTED CAPACITY LEVELS COULD RESULT IN PENALTIES. The occurrence of one of the events which constitutes a risk of operating a power generation facility may trigger default provisions under our financing agreements. The risks associated with operating a power generation facility, thermal energy production and transmission facility, resource recovery facility or mining facility includes the breakdown or failure of generation equipment or other equipment or processes, labor disputes, fuel interruption and operating performance below expected levels. Operation below expected capacity levels may result in lost revenues, increased expenses, higher maintenance costs and penalties. As a result, a facility may be unable to perform its obligations under its purchase agreements, triggering the default provisions in a financing agreement, rendering such debt immediately due and payable, and the project may be rendered insolvent as a result. Certain power purchase agreements of our project subsidiaries or project affiliates permit the purchaser to terminate the agreement, modify the payments required under the agreement, recover payments previously made under the agreement or require such project subsidiaries or project affiliates to pay liquidated damages under the agreement in certain circumstances. While insurance is maintained to protect against certain risks, warranties are obtained from vendors for limited periods and contractors are obligated to meet certain performance levels, the proceeds of such insurance, warranties or performance guarantees may not be adequate to cover lost revenues, increased expenses or liquidated damages payments. As a result, default provisions in the project subsidiary's or project affiliate's financing agreements may be triggered, which might allow the affected lenders to accelerate such debt. S-10 13 PAYMENTS UNDER POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO VARIATION; WE HAVE GUARANTEED DEBT OF SUBSIDIARIES. Payments under power purchase agreements for domestic projects that satisfy the requirements for "qualifying facility" status under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act ("PURPA") and that are based upon actual short-run, as opposed to forecasted long-run, "avoided cost" or the cost that would otherwise have been paid for power from the purchasing utility's highest-cost generating facility, are subject to significant variations based upon a number of factors outside of the control of the owners of such facilities, including weather, economic conditions, and the particular operating profile and generating capacity position of the purchasing utility. If payments under power purchase agreements are not sufficient, we may be directly liable for the obligations of some of our project subsidiaries pursuant to guarantees relating to certain of their equity and operating obligations. One example is our guarantee of the obligations of our project subsidiary that operates the Gladstone facility for up to AUS$25 million, indexed to the Australian consumer price index ("ACPI") (US$15.9 million, based on exchange rates and ACPI in effect at March 31, 1999), under the project subsidiary's operating and maintenance agreement with the owners of the facility. If we were required to satisfy all of these guarantees and other obligations, such event would have a material adverse effect on our condition, financial and otherwise. MOST OF OUR MORE RECENT PROJECTS OPERATE WITHOUT LONG-TERM POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Most of the more recent projects in which we have acquired or are acquiring an interest do not have long-term power purchase agreements. For example, Loy Yang A does not have such agreements because under the new Australian regulatory scheme, all generators must sell their output to a grid, where the price is established by a neutral regulator based on the market prices during each defined period. Facilities that sell their output into the market and operate without long-term power purchase agreements in place are called "merchant plants." The generation facilities that we have recently acquired or are acquiring in California, New York and Massachusetts will be merchant plants, although a portion of the output of certain of these plants in the first several years of our ownership of them is contracted for, either under transition power purchase contracts with their former owners or under bilateral contracts with other wholesale customers. While these "merchant" projects introduce new risks and uncertainties, and require careful advance analysis of the local power markets, we believe that they are becoming increasingly accepted in the independent power market. WE DEPEND ON CERTAIN CUSTOMERS AND PROJECTS. Our power generation, thermal energy production and transmission or resource recovery facilities typically rely on a single supplier for each of the provision of fuel, water and other services required for operation of the facility and on a single customer or a few customers to purchase all of the facility's output, in each case under long-term agreements that provide the support for any project debt used to finance such facilities. The failure of any one customer or supplier to fulfill its contractual obligations to the facility could have a material adverse effect on such facility's financial results. As a result, the financial performance of such facilities is dependent on the continued performance by customers and suppliers of their obligations under such long-term agreements and, in particular, on the credit quality of the project's customers. The Rock-Tenn project produced more than ten percent of our net revenues for 1998. WE ARE AFFECTED BY CHANGES IN STATE MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE ("MSW") FLOW CONTROL LAWS. Refuse-derived fuel projects, such as our Newport facility and NSP's Elk River facility, which is operated by us, historically were assured an adequate supply of MSW through state and local flow control legislation, which directed that MSW be disposed of in certain facilities. In May 1994, the S-11 14 United States Supreme Court held that MSW is a commodity in interstate commerce and, accordingly, that flow control legislation that prohibited shipment of MSW out of state is unconstitutional. Since this Supreme Court holding, the refuse-derived fuel facilities owned or operated by us have faced increased competition from landfills in surrounding states. As a result of such competition, MSW delivered at our Newport facility decreased in 1995. In 1996, however, due to our assistance and a reduction of tipping fees under contracts entered into between haulers and the Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota, the downward trend in waste deliveries was reversed. MSW deliveries have increased during the last three years, with 359,646 tons delivered in 1996, 409,838 tons delivered in 1997 and 446,040 tons delivered in 1998. However, in the absence of valid flow control legislation, we cannot assure you that this improved trend will continue. WE ARE SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION. We and the projects in which we invest are subject to a number of complex and stringent environmental and other laws and regulations affecting many aspects of our present and future operations, including the disposal of various forms of waste and the construction or permitting of new facilities. These laws and regulations generally require us to obtain and comply with a wide variety of licenses, permits and other approvals, and may in some cases be enforced by both public officials and private individuals. We cannot assure you that existing laws or regulations will not be revised or that new laws or regulations will not be adopted or become applicable to us which could have an adverse impact on our operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to recover all or any increased costs of compliance from our customers or that our business and financial condition will not be materially and adversely affected by future changes in environmental laws or regulations. In addition, regulatory compliance for the construction of new facilities is a costly and time-consuming process, and intricate and rapidly changing environmental regulations may require major expenditures for permitting and create the risk of expensive delays or material impairment of project value if projects cannot function as planned due to changing regulatory requirements or local opposition. PURPA and the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 ("PUHCA"), are two of the laws (including the regulations thereunder) that affect our operations. PURPA provides to qualifying facilities ("QFs") certain exemptions from federal and state laws and regulations, including organizational, rate and financial regulation. PUHCA regulates public utility holding companies and their subsidiaries. We are not and will not be subject to regulation as a holding company under PUHCA as long as the domestic power plants we own are QFs under PURPA or are exempted as exempt wholesale generators ("EWGs"), and so long as our foreign utility operations are exempted as EWGs or foreign utility companies or are otherwise exempted under PUHCA. QF status is conditioned on meeting certain criteria, and could be jeopardized, for example, by the loss of a steam customer or reduction of steam purchases below the amount required by PURPA. WE FACE ONGOING CHANGES IN THE U.S. UTILITY INDUSTRY. The U.S. electric utility industry is currently experiencing increasing competitive pressures, primarily in wholesale markets, as a result of consumer demands, technological advances, greater availability of natural gas and other factors. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") has proposed regulatory changes to increase access to the nationwide transmission grid by utility and non-utility purchasers and sellers of electricity. A number of states are considering or implementing methods to introduce and promote retail competition. Proposals have been introduced in Congress to repeal PURPA and PUHCA, and the FERC has publicly indicated support for the PUHCA repeal effort. Additionally, some utilities have brought litigation aimed at forcing the renegotiation or termination of contracts requiring payments to owners of qualifying facilities based upon past estimates of avoided cost that are now substantially in excess of market prices. We cannot assure you S-12 15 that, in the future, utilities, with the approval of state public utility commissions, will not seek to abrogate their existing power purchase agreements. If the repeal of PURPA or PUHCA occurs, either separately or as part of legislation designed to encourage the broader introduction of wholesale and retail competition, the significant competitive advantages that independent power producers currently enjoy over certain regulated utility companies would be eliminated or sharply curtailed, and the ability of regulated utility companies to compete more directly with independent power companies would be increased. To the extent competitive pressures increase and the pricing and sale of electricity assumes more characteristics of a commodity business, the economics of domestic independent power generation projects may come under increasing pressure, and the availability of long-term power purchase agreements, which can serve as the basis for project financings, may decrease. Deregulation may not only continue to fuel the current trend toward consolidation among domestic utilities, but may also encourage the disaggregation of vertically-integrated utilities into separate generation, transmission and distribution businesses. As a result, additional significant competitors could become active in the independent power industry. In addition, independent power producers may find it increasingly difficult to negotiate long-term power sales agreements with solvent utilities, which may affect the profitability and financial stability of independent power projects. THERE IS A NOT A PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE NOTES. The notes are a new issue of securities, and we do not intend to list them on any securities exchange. The underwriters have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in the notes, but the underwriters are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any such market-making at any time. We cannot assure you as to the liquidity of any market that may develop for the notes, your ability to sell your notes or the price at which you would be able to sell your notes. S-13 16 BUSINESS INTRODUCTION We are one of the leading participants in the independent power generation industry. We are principally engaged in the acquisition, development and operation of, and ownership of interests in, independent power production and co-generation facilities, thermal energy production and transmission facilities, landfill gas collection and generation facilities and resource recovery facilities. The power generation facilities in which we currently have interests, including those under construction, as of December 31, 1998 have a total design capacity of 10,605 MW, of which we have or will have total or shared operational responsibility for 6,966 MW and net ownership of, or leasehold interests in, 3,300 MW. In addition, we have substantial interests in district heating and cooling systems and steam generation and transmission operations. As of December 31, 1998, these thermal businesses had a steam capacity of approximately 3,750 mmBtu/hr., of which our equity interest was 2,905 mmBtu/hr. Our refuse-derived fuel plants processed more than 1,350,000 tons of municipal solid waste into approximately 1,100,000 tons of refuse-derived fuel during 1998. STRATEGY We intend to continue to grow through a combination of acquisitions and greenfield development of power generation, thermal energy production and transmission facilities and related assets in the United States and abroad. We believe that our facility operations and engineering expertise, fuel and environmental strategies, labor and government relations expertise and legal and financial skills give us a competitive advantage in the independent power market. We also believe that our experience in meeting or exceeding applicable environmental regulatory standards and our environmental compliance record will give us an advantage as regulators continue to impose increasingly stringent environmental requirements on the operation of power generation facilities. In addition, we continue to have access to technical and administrative support from NSP on a contract basis to augment our own expertise. We believe the knowledge and expertise we have gained in the financial and legal restructuring of our existing facilities, as well as our engineering expertise and reputation with respect to environmental compliance and labor relations, can be effectively employed in the development of both domestic and international greenfield projects. In the United States, our near-term focus will be primarily on the acquisition of existing power generation capacity and thermal energy production and transmission facilities, particularly in situations in which our expertise can be applied to improve the operating and financial performance of the facilities. In connection with this focus, we study the opportunities that may be created by the current restructuring of the domestic electric utility industry, particularly the divestiture by some utility companies of their generating assets. In connection with these utility company divestitures of generating assets, although the assets themselves may be held by a purchasing subsidiary, in many instances the sellers require that we remain directly liable for certain indemnity, operating, provision of replacement power and/or debt payment obligations. We intend to focus our domestic development activities primarily on the acquisition or development of facilities in excess of 100 MW and to pursue smaller projects when we have the opportunity to combine several smaller projects into a larger transaction. We are also working with several industrial companies to develop energy projects that would provide both electricity and steam for their production facilities. In addition, to the extent that the replacement of aging power generating capacity or growth in demand creates the need for new power generation facilities in the United States, we intend to pursue opportunities to participate in the development of such facilities. In the international market, we will continue to pursue development and acquisition opportunities in those countries in which we believe that the legal, political and economic environment is conducive to increased foreign investment. Once we have developed one project in a country, we use that as a S-14 17 base to develop other projects in that same country or region, leveraging our experience and knowledge to enhance our likelihood of success in the area. We intend to continue to capitalize on opportunities created by the privatization of existing government-owned generating capacity. In addition, due to the significant existing demand for new power generating capacity in the international market, we intend to engage in the development of international greenfield projects. We intend to focus our international development activities primarily on the acquisition or development of facilities with capacity in excess of 100 MW and to pursue smaller projects when we have the opportunity to combine several smaller projects into a larger transaction. We believe that the global market will continue to provide attractive investment opportunities to us as the countries that have initiated the privatization of their power generation capacity and have solicited bids from private companies to purchase existing facilities or to develop new capacity continue their privatization programs and other countries begin similar privatization efforts. We expect to acquire or develop most projects on a joint venture basis. Where appropriate, we will include a local or host country partner or a partner with substantial experience in the area. By doing so, we expect to gain a number of advantages, including technical expertise possessed by others, greater knowledge of and experience with the political, economic, cultural and social conditions and commercial practices of the region or country where the project is being developed, and the ability to leverage our human and financial resources. A local partner also may, among other things, assist in obtaining financing from local capital markets as well as building political and community support for the project. We expect such joint ventures will enable us to share the risks associated with the acquisition and development of larger projects. Joint acquisition and development of future projects also should further reduce our financial risk by building a more diversified portfolio of projects. Although we exercise flexibility in structuring our investments in projects, our goal is to own a 20% to 50% equity interest in, and have operating control or influence over, the projects in which we invest. However, we may in some instances be willing to modify these targets for a particular project if we determine that strategic considerations and anticipated returns, when combined with other factors, such as the ability to exercise "negative control" (i.e., the ability to control material project decisions by exercising a veto right) or the ability to exercise oversight authority in the development or operation of a project, justify an investment in that project. Alternatively, we may consider investments or projects in which we are the sole or a majority owner or in which we own less than a 20% equity interest. See "Risk Factors. -- Investments in less than 100% owned projects limit our control." We intend to pursue the acquisition and development of natural gas-fired power generation facilities where appropriate to complement our existing and anticipated future investments in coal and other solid fuel-fired facilities. We currently hold no interest in, and have no present intention of investing in, any nuclear generating facility. DESCRIPTION OF OUR PROJECTS We own interests in power generation and thermal generation projects and other facilities described herein either directly or through project subsidiaries or project affiliates. Each project is located on a site that is owned or leased on a long-term basis by us, a project subsidiary or a project affiliate. The ownership or leasehold interest generally is mortgaged to secure project financing obligations, and, in certain instances, to secure the project subsidiary's or project affiliate's obligations under its power purchase agreement. PROJECT AGREEMENTS In the past, virtually all of our operating power generation facilities have sold electricity under long-term power purchase agreements. A facility's revenue from a power purchase agreement usually S-15 18 consists of two components: energy payments and capacity payments. Energy payments, which are intended to cover the variable costs of electric generation, such as fuel costs and variable operation and maintenance expense, are normally based on a facility's net electrical output measured in kilowatt hours, with payment rates either fixed or indexed to the fuel costs of the power purchaser. Capacity payments, which are generally intended to provide funds for the fixed costs incurred by the project subsidiary or project affiliate, such as debt service on the project financing and the equity return, are normally calculated based on the net electrical output or the declared capacity of a facility and its availability. Most of the more recent projects in which we have acquired or are acquiring an interest do not have long-term power purchase agreements. For example, Loy Yang A does not have such agreements because under the new Australian regulatory scheme, all generators must sell their output to a grid, where the price is established by a neutral regulator based on the market prices during each defined period. The same will be true of Enfield, since the United Kingdom has adopted a similar regulatory scheme. Similarly, the San Joaquin Valley Energy Partners Facilities accepted a buy-out of their long-term contracts, so if they recommence operations, it is anticipated that they will be merchant plants (i.e., plants operating without long-term power purchase agreements in place, selling their output into the market). The generation facilities which we have recently acquired or are acquiring in California, New York and Massachusetts will also be merchant plants, although a portion of the output of certain of these plants in the first several years of our ownership of them is contracted for, either under transition power purchase contracts with their former owners or under bilateral contracts with other wholesale customers. In the case of the Kladno project, where there is a long-term agreement, the energy price is tied to the market price of electricity rather than to the costs incurred by the project, so the contract does not provide the traditional level of certainty and protection. In the case of the Loy Yang A project, Australian power pool prices have been significantly lower than anticipated at the time of our purchase of our interest in the Loy Yang A project, resulting in earnings much lower than initially forecast. On the basis of historical Australian power pool prices, absent project debt restructuring, the Loy Yang A project company will experience difficulty in servicing its long-term debt obligations. This, in turn, could trigger a senior debt default under the project's loan documents on or about June 2002. While these "merchant" projects introduce new risks and uncertainties, and require careful advance analysis of the local power markets, we believe that they are becoming increasingly accepted in the independent power market. NON-RECOURSE FINANCING As with our existing facilities, we expect to finance most of our future projects with debt as well as equity. Leveraged financing permits the development of projects with a limited equity base but also increases the risk that a reduction in revenues could adversely affect a particular project's ability to meet its debt or lease obligations. We have financed our principal power generation facilities, other than Schkopau, primarily with non-recourse debt that is repaid solely from the project's revenues and generally is secured by interests in the physical assets, major project contracts and agreements, cash accounts and, in certain cases, the ownership interest, in that project subsidiary. This type of financing is referred to as "project financing." True project financing is not available for all projects, including some assets purchased out of bankruptcy, some merchant plants, some purchases of minority stock positions in publicly traded companies and plants in certain countries that lack a sufficiently well-developed legal system. Even in those instances, however, we may still be able to finance a smaller portion of the total project cost with project financing, with the remainder financed with debt that is either raised or supported at the corporate rather than the project level. Project financing transactions generally are structured so that all revenues of a project are deposited directly with a bank or other financial institution acting as escrow or security deposit agent. S-16 19 These funds then are payable in a specified order of priority set forth in the financing documents to ensure that, to the extent available, they are used first to pay operating expenses, senior debt service and taxes and to fund reserve accounts. Thereafter, subject to satisfying debt service coverage ratios and certain other conditions, available funds may be disbursed for management fees or dividends or, where there are subordinated lenders, to the payment of subordinated debt service. In the event of a foreclosure after a default, our project subsidiary or project affiliate owning the facility would only retain an interest in the assets, if any, remaining after all debts and obligations were paid. In addition, the debt of each operating project may reduce the liquidity of our equity interest in that project because the interest is typically subject both to a pledge securing the project's debt and to transfer restrictions set forth in the relevant financing agreements. Also, our ability to transfer or sell our interest in certain projects is restricted by certain purchase options or rights of first refusal in favor of our partners or the project's power and steam purchasers and certain change of control restrictions in the project financing documents. These project financing structures are designed to prevent the lenders from looking to us or our other projects for repayment, that is, they are "non-recourse" to us and our other project subsidiaries and project affiliates not involved in the project, unless we or another project subsidiary or project affiliate expressly agrees to undertake liability. We have agreed to undertake limited financial support for certain of our project subsidiaries in the form of certain limited obligations and contingent liabilities. These obligations and contingent liabilities take the form of guarantees of certain specified obligations, indemnities, capital infusions and agreements to pay certain debt service deficiencies. To the extent we become liable under such guarantees and other agreements in respect of a particular project, distributions received by us from other projects may be used by us to satisfy these obligations. To the extent of these obligations, creditors of a project financing may have recourse to us. EXPOSURE TO CURRENCY FLUCTUATION As part of our strategy, we hold assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. We adjust the value of these holdings quarterly to reflect fluctuations in the values of their respective currencies. This can, and has, generated non-cash income and losses. S-17 20 SUMMARY OF OUR PROJECTS Listed below are descriptions of our interests in facilities, operations or projects under construction as of May 1, 1999: INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCTION AND COGENERATION FACILITIES(1) S-18
LATER OF DATE OF ACQUISITION OUR OR DATE OF PLANT PERCENTAGE COMMERCIAL CAPACITY OWNERSHIP NAME AND LOCATION OF FACILITY OPERATION PRIMARY FUEL (MW)(2) INTEREST POWER PURCHASER ----------------------------- ----------- ------------ -------- ---------- ------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS: Loy Yang Power, Australia(3)...... 1997 Coal 2,000 25.37 Victorian Pool Gladstone Power Station, Australia....................... 1994 Coal 1,680 37.50 QTPTC; BSL Collinsville, Australia........... 1998 Coal 189 50.00 QTPTC Energy Developments Limited, Australia....................... 1997 LFG/Methane 262 33.97 Various Kladno Czech Republic, existing project......................... 1994 Coal 28 44.26 STE/Industrials Kladno Czech Republic, expansion project(4)...................... 1999 Coal/Gas 345 44.50 STE/Industrials Schkopau Power Station, Germany... 1996 Coal 960 20.95 VEAG MIBRAG mbH(3), (Mumsdorf) Germany......................... 1994 Coal 110 33.33 WESAG MIBRAG mbH(3), (Deuben) Germany... 1994 Coal 86 33.33 WESAG MIBRAG mbH(3), (Wahlitz) Germany......................... 1994 Coal 37 33.33 WESAG Enfield (London) UK............... 1999 Gas 396 25.00 U.K. Electricity Grid COBEE, Bolivia.................... 1996 Hydro/Gas 217(5) 48.30 Electropaz/ELF Latin Power (Mamonal), Colombia... 1994 Gas 90 6.45 Proelectrica Latin Power (Termovalle), Colombia........................ 1998 Gas 199 4.88 EPSA Latin Power (Termotasajero), Colombia........................ 1998 Coal 150 7.93 Colombian Grid Latin Power (ELCOSA), Honduras.... 1994 Oil 80 7.65 Empresa Nacional de Energia Electrica Latin Power (Dr. Bird), Jamaica... 1995 Diesel 74 8.78 Jamaica Public Service Company, Ltd. Latin Power (Orzunil), Guatemala....................... 1999 Geothermal 24 12.25 INDE Latin Power (Aguaytia), Peru...... 1998 Gas 155 3.28 Central Peruvian Electricity Grid Kingston Cogeneration, Canada..... 1997 Gas 110 25.00 Ontario Hydro DOMESTIC PROJECTS: Energy Investors Fund, 1 and 3.... 1997 Various 436 3.70 Various El Segundo Power, California...... 1998 Gas 1,020 50.00 California ISO Long Beach Generating, California...................... 1998 Gas 530 50.00 California ISO Crockett Cogeneration, California...................... 1997 Gas 240 24.88 PG&E Curtis-Palmer Hydro, New York..... 1997 Hydro 58 8.50 NIMO Mt. Poso Cogeneration, California...................... 1997 Coal 50 39.10 PG&E(6) PowerSmith Cogeneration, Oklahoma........................ 1997 Gas 110 8.75 OGE Energy Turners Falls, Massachusetts...... 1997 Coal 20 8.90 Unitil Power Somerset, Massachusetts........... 1999 Coal 229(7) 100.00 EUA; NEPOOL 21 - ------------------------- (1) Does not include the small hydroelectric and landfill gas-fired power generation facilities owned by NEO with an aggregate capacity of 110 MW, of which NEO has net ownership of 58 MW. In addition, NEO has landfill gas projects under construction with an aggregate capacity of 28 MW, of which NEO has net ownership of 14 MW. (2) Capacity shown is without deduction for internally consumed power. (3) Each of Loy Yang and MIBRAG also owns coal mines which sell coal both to its respective power plant and to third parties. (4) Includes 74 MW gas-fired facility placed in service in March 1999 and 271 MW coal-fired facility to be operational in late 1999. (5) Includes the Huaji (29 MW) expansion project which is expected to be fully operational in 1999. (6) Operations of the project are currently suspended pursuant to an agreement with this power purchaser. (7) Includes 69 MW on deactivated reserve. (8) Operations suspended following buy-out of power purchase contracts and pending negotiation of new power purchase agreements or sale of such facilities. PG&E has agreed to a buy-out of related power purchase agreements, but retains a right of first refusal with respect to output of facilities. S-19
LATER OF DATE OF ACQUISITION OUR OR DATE OF PLANT PERCENTAGE COMMERCIAL CAPACITY OWNERSHIP NAME AND LOCATION OF FACILITY OPERATION PRIMARY FUEL (MW)(2) INTEREST POWER PURCHASER ----------------------------- ----------- ------------ -------- ---------- ------------------------------------- Cogeneration Corporation of America: CogenAmerica (Newark), New Jersey........................ 1996 Gas 54 45.21 Jersey Central Power & Light CogenAmerica (Parlin), New Jersey........................ 1996 Gas 122 45.21 Jersey Central Power & Light CogenAmerica (Grays Ferry), Pennsylvania.................. 1996 Gas 150 15.07 PECO Energy Company CogenAmerica (Philadelphia),.... 1996 Diesel 22 37.52 Philadelphia Municipal Authority CogenAmerica (Morris), Illinois...................... 1998 Gas 117 45.21 Equistar Petro Chemicals, Inc. CogenAmerica (Pryor), Oklahoma.. 1997 Gas 110 45.21 OGE Energy San Joaquin Valley (Madera), California...................... 1992 Biomass 23 45.00 NA(8) San Joaquin Valley (Chowchilla II),............................ 1992 Biomass 10 45.00 NA(8) San Joaquin Valley (El Nido),..... 1992 Biomass 10 45.00 NA(8) Jackson Valley Energy Partners,... 1991 Biomass 16 50.00 PG&E Sunnyside Cogeneration Associates, Utah............................ 1994 Coal 58 50.00 PacifiCorp Artesia, California............... 1996 Gas 34 2.96 Southern California Edison Cadillac Renewable Energy, Michigan........................ 1997 Wood 38 50.00 Consumers Energy 22 PENDING GENERATION ASSET ACQUISITIONS THERMAL ENERGY PRODUCTION AND TRANSMISSION FACILITIES AND RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITIES
OUR LATER OF DATE OF PLANT PERCENTAGE NAME AND LOCATION ACQUISITION OR DATE OF PRIMARY CAPACITY OWNERSHIP OF FACILITY COMMERCIAL OPERATION FUEL (MW)(1) INTEREST POWER PURCHASER - ----------------------- ---------------------- ------- -------- ---------- ------------------------------- Huntley, New York Second Quarter 1999 Coal 760 100.00 NIMO; NYPP Dunkirk, New York Second Quarter 1999 Coal 600 100.00 NIMO; NYPP Encina, California Second Quarter 1999 Gas 253 50.00 Cal. Power Exchange; bilateral contracts Encina Combustion Turbines, California Second Quarter 1999 Gas 965 50.00 Cal. Power Exchange; bilateral contracts Arthur Kill, New York Third Quarter 1999 Gas 842 100.00 Con. Ed.; NYPP Astoria Gas Turbines, New York Third Quarter 1999 Gas 614 100.00 Con. Ed.; NYPP Oswego, New York Fourth Quarter 1999 Oil 1,700 100.00 NIMO; NYPP S-20
OUR PERCENTAGE DATE OF OWNERSHIP THERMAL ENERGY NAME AND LOCATION OF FACILITY ACQUISITION CAPACITY(2) INTEREST PURCHASER/MSW SUPPLIER - ----------------------------- ----------- ------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- THERMAL ENERGY PRODUCTION AND TRANSMISSION FACILITIES: Minneapolis Energy Center 1993 Steam: 1,323 mmBtu/hr 100.00 Approximately 91 steam (MEC), Minnesota (388 MW) customers and 37 chilled Chilled water: 35,550 water customers tons. North American Thermal 1995 Pittsburgh: steam-240 49.40 Approximately 23 customers Systems (NATS), mmBtu/hr in Pittsburgh and 158 Pennsylvania & (70 MW) chilled water - customers in San Francisco California(3) 10,180 tons/ San Francisco: steam-490 mmBtu/hr. (144 MW) San Diego Power & Cooling, 1997 Chilled Water: 5,250 100.00 Approximately 13 customers California tons. Rock-Tenn, Minnesota 1992 Steam: 100.00 Rock-Tenn Company 430 mmBtu/hr. (126 MW) Washco, Minnesota 1992 160 mmBtu/hr 100.00 Andersen Corporation (47 MW) Minnesota Correctional Facility Grand Forks Air Force Base, 1992 105 mmBtu/hr 100.00 Grand Forks Air Force Base North Dakota (31 MW) Energy Center Kladno, Czech 1994 512 mmBtu/hr 36.32 City of Kladno Republic(4) (150 MW) Camas Power Boiler, 1997 200mmBtu/hr 100.00 Fort James Corp. Washington (59 MW) RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITIES: Newport, Minnesota 1993 MSW: 1,500 tons/day 100.00 Ramsey and Washington Counties 23 - ------------------------- (1) Capacity shown is without deduction for internally consumed power. (2) Thermal production and transmission capacity is based on 1,000 Btus per pound of steam production or transmission capacity. The unit mmBtu is equal to one million Btus. (3) Includes 0.5% general partnership interests in each of PTLP and SFTLP. In January 1999, we signed a purchase agreement to acquire the remaining interest in the projects. (4) Kladno also is included in the Independent Power Production and Cogeneration Facilities table on the preceding page. (5) We operate the Elk River resource recovery facility on behalf of NSP. S-21
OUR PERCENTAGE DATE OF OWNERSHIP THERMAL ENERGY NAME AND LOCATION OF FACILITY ACQUISITION CAPACITY(2) INTEREST PURCHASER/MSW SUPPLIER - ----------------------------- ----------- ------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- Elk River, Minnesota (5) MSW: 1,500 tons/day 0.00 Anoka, Hennepin, and Sherburne Counties; Tri- County Solid Waste Management Commission Penobscot Energy Recovery, 1997 MSW: 800 tons/day 28.71 Bangor Hydroelectric Maine Company Maine Energy Recovery, 1997 MSW: 680 tons/day 16.25 CMP Maine 24 USE OF PROCEEDS The net proceeds from the sale of the notes, estimated to be approximately $298.0 million, will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include financing the development and construction of new facilities, additions to working capital, reductions of our indebtedness and our subsidiaries' indebtedness, financing of capital expenditures and pending or potential acquisitions. Funds not immediately required for such purposes may be invested in short-term investment grade securities. Equity investments in pending acquisitions which may be financed out of the proceeds of the notes include the acquisition by our indirect subsidiaries, through separate transactions, of certain generating assets from Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc., Eastern Utilities Associates, and San Diego Gas & Electric Company. S-22 25 SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA The selected consolidated financial data set forth below as of December 31, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 and for the years then ended, have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. Certain financial information for the year ended December 31, 1994 has been reclassified to conform to the financial presentation for the year ended December 31, 1998. The selected capacity data set forth below under the caption "Other Data" has been supplied by us. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME DATA: - ------------------------- (1) In 1994, we and our partner in the Michigan Cogeneration Partners Limited Partnership agreed to terminate a power sales contract with Consumers Power Company. The contract related to a 65 MW cogeneration facility being developed in Michigan. Due to the agreement to terminate the contract, we recorded a one-time pre-tax gain of $9.7 million in 1994. Equity in gain from project termination settlements in 1995 included a one-time pre-tax gain of $29.9 million related to the settlement and termination of the San Joaquin Valley power purchase agreements with PG&E. (2) Includes pretax charges of $5.0 million, $5.0 million, $1.5 million, $9.0 million and $26.7 million in the years 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively, to write-down the carrying value of certain energy projects. These amounts also include the gain on sale of interest in projects of $8.7 million in 1997 and $30.0 million in 1998. (3) We are included in the consolidated federal income tax and state franchise tax returns of NSP. We calculate our tax position on a separate company basis under a tax sharing agreement with NSP and receive payment from NSP for tax benefits and we pay NSP for tax liabilities. S-23
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------ 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- (IN THOUSANDS) OPERATING REVENUES Revenues from wholly-owned operations.... $63,970 $64,180 $ 71,649 $ 92,052 $100,424 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates............................. 32,155 28,639 34,315 26,200 81,706 ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- Total operating revenues............ 96,125 92,819 105,964 118,252 182,130 OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES Cost of wholly-owned operations.......... 34,861 32,535 36,562 46,717 52,413 Depreciation and amortization............ 8,675 8,283 8,378 10,310 16,320 General, administrative, and development............................ 19,993 34,647 39,248 43,116 56,385 ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- Total operating costs and expenses....................... 63,529 75,465 84,188 100,143 125,118 ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- Operating income......................... 32,596 17,354 21,776 18,109 57,012 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Minority interest........................ -- -- -- (131) (2,251) Equity in gain from project termination settlements(1)......................... 9,685 29,850 -- -- -- Other income, net(2)..................... (3,589) (104) 7,977 11,502 11,630 Interest expense......................... (6,682) (7,089) (15,430) (30,989) (50,313) ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- Total other income (expense)........ (586) 22,657 (7,453) (19,618) (40,934) ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- Income (loss) before income taxes........ 32,010 40,011 14,323 (1,509) 16,078 Income tax benefit (expense)(3).......... (2,472) (8,810) 5,655 23,491 25,654 ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- Net income............................... $29,538 $31,201 $ 19,978 $ 21,982 $ 41,732 ======= ======= ======== ======== ======== 26 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA: OTHER DATA:
AS OF DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------ 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- (IN THOUSANDS) Net property, plant and equipment... $107,634 $111,919 $129,649 $ 185,891 $ 204,729 Net equity investments in projects.......................... 164,863 221,129 365,749 694,655 800,924 Total assets........................ 376,570 454,589 680,809 1,168,102 1,293,426 Long-term debt, including current maturities........................ 93,339 90,034 212,141 620,855 626,476 Stockholder's equity................ 234,722 319,764 421,914 450,698 579,332 - ------------------------- (1) This coverage ratio equals EBITDA (the sum of income (loss) before taxes, interest expense (net of capitalized interest) and depreciation and amortization expense) divided by interest expense. (2) This coverage ratio equals the sum of funds from operations plus recourse interest expense divided by recourse interest expense. Funds from operations is calculated by subtracting working capital changes from cash provided (used) from operations. (3) Not meaningful because there was no recourse interest expense in 1994. (4) Due primarily to undistributed equity from unconsolidated affiliates, funds from operations did not cover recourse interest by $13.3 million. S-24
AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ----------------------------------------- 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Our net power generating capacity (MW)................ 992 999 1,326 2,637 3,300 Our net thermal energy generating capacity: mmBtus per hour..................................... 1,961 2,318 2,654 2,693 2,905 MW.................................................. 575 679 778 789 851 Consolidated interest expense coverage ratio(1)....... 7.09x 7.81x 2.47x 1.28x 1.64x Consolidated funds from operations to recourse interest expense coverage ratio(2).................. (3) (4) 1.75x 2.38x 1.77x 27 EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES RATIO The following table sets forth the ratio of our earnings to our fixed charges for the periods indicated: - ------------------------- (1) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is calculated by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose "earnings" means income (loss) before income taxes less undistributed equity in our share of operating earnings of unconsolidated affiliates less equity in gain from project termination settlements plus cash distributions from project termination settlements plus fixed charges. "Fixed charges" means interest expense plus interest capitalized plus amortization of debt issuance costs plus one-third of our annual rental expense which the Securities and Exchange Commission defines as a reasonable approximation of rental expense interest. (2) Due primarily to interest expense and undistributed equity from unconsolidated affiliates, earnings did not cover fixed charges by $7.3 million. (3) Due primarily to undistributed equity from unconsolidated affiliates, earnings did not cover fixed charges by $14.9 million. (4) Earnings did not cover fixed charges by $10.5 million. S-25
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ---------------------------------------- THREE MONTHS ENDED THREE MONTHS ENDED 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 MARCH 31, 1998 MARCH 31, 1999 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ------------------ ------------------ Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)... 2.98x 1.56x 1.75x 1.16x (2) (3) (4) 28 DESCRIPTION OF NOTES This section summarizes the specific financial and legal terms of the notes that are more generally described under "Description of Debt Securities" beginning on page 4 of the prospectus that is attached to the back of this supplement. If anything described in this section is inconsistent with the terms described under "Description of Debt Securities" in the attached prospectus, the terms described here prevail. - TITLE: 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2009 - TOTAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT BEING ISSUED: $300,000,000 - DUE DATE FOR PRINCIPAL: June 1, 2009 - INTEREST RATE: 7 1/2% per annum - DATE INTEREST STARTS ACCRUING: May 25, 1999 - INTEREST DUE DATES: Every June 1 and December 1 - FIRST INTEREST DUE DATE: December 1, 1999 - FORM OF NOTES: The notes will be issued as Global Securities, and may be withdrawn from the Depositary only in the limited situations described on pages 14 and 15 of the attached prospectus. - NAME OF DEPOSITARY: The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). - TRADING IN DTC: Indirect holders that trade their beneficial interests in the Global Securities through DTC must trade in DTC's same-day funds settlement system and pay in immediately available funds. - CHANGE OF CONTROL: Upon a Change of Control, a holder of notes may require us to repurchase that holder's notes, in whole or in part, at 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest. A Change of Control will not be deemed to have occurred if, after giving effect thereto, the notes are rated BBB- or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group and Baa3 or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. - OPTIONAL REDEMPTION: We may, at our option, redeem some or all of the notes -- that is, repay them early -- at any time. If we redeem the notes before June 1, 2009, we must pay you whichever of the following two items is greater: - 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed. - a "make whole" amount, which will be calculated as described below. When we redeem the notes, we must also pay all interest that has accrued to the redemption date on the redeemed notes. The notes will stop bearing interest on the redemption date, even if you do not collect your money. - CALCULATION OF MAKE WHOLE AMOUNT: The "make whole" amount will equal the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments (as defined below) discounted, on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months), at a rate equal to the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 25 basis points. "REMAINING SCHEDULED PAYMENTS" means the remaining scheduled payments of the principal and interest that would be due if such debt security were not redeemed. However, if the redemption date is not a scheduled interest payment date, the amount of the next succeeding S-26 29 scheduled interest payment on such debt security will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued on such debt security to such redemption date. "TREASURY RATE" means an annual rate equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue (as defined below), assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price (as defined below) for the redemption date. The semiannual equivalent yield to maturity will be computed as of the third business day immediately preceding the redemption date. "COMPARABLE TREASURY ISSUE" means the United States Treasury security selected by Salomon Smith Barney or an affiliate as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate notes of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the notes. "COMPARABLE TREASURY PRICE" means the average of three Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations (as defined below) obtained by the trustee for the redemption date. "REFERENCE TREASURY DEALERS" means Salomon Smith Barney (so long as it continues to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer) and any two other primary U.S. Government securities dealers chosen by us. If Salomon Smith Barney ceases to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer, we will appoint in its place another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a primary U.S. Government securities dealer. "REFERENCE TREASURY DEALER QUOTATION" means the average, as determined by the trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the trustee by a Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding the redemption date. - REDEMPTION NOTICE: We will give notice to DTC at least 30 days (but not more than 60 days) before we redeem the notes. If we redeem only some of the notes, DTC's practice is to choose by lot the amount to be redeemed from the notes held by each of its participating institutions. DTC will give notice to these participants, and these participants will give notice to any "Street Name" holders of any indirect interests in the notes according to arrangements among them; these notices may be subject to statutory or regulatory requirements. We will not be responsible for giving notice to anyone other than DTC. - SALE OF PROPERTIES OR ASSETS: Except for a sale of our assets substantially as an entirety, and other than assets we are required to sell to conform with governmental regulations, we may not sell or otherwise dispose of any assets (other than short-term, readily marketable investments purchased for cash management purposes with funds not representing the proceeds of other asset sales) if on a pro forma basis, the aggregate net book value of all such sales during the most recent 12-month period would exceed 10% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (as defined below) computed as of the end of the most recent quarter preceding such sale; provided, however, that any such sales shall be disregarded for purposes of this 10% limitation if the proceeds are invested in assets in similar or related lines of our business and, provided further, that we may sell or otherwise dispose of assets in excess of such 10% if we retain the proceeds from such sales or dispositions, which are not reinvested as provided above, as cash or cash equivalents or we use the proceeds to purchase and retire the notes offered hereby, other debt securities of ours or are used to retire debt ranking pari passu with the notes. S-27 30 "CONSOLIDATED NET TANGIBLE ASSETS" means, as of the date of any determination thereof, the total amount of all our assets determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP as of such date less the sum of (a) our consolidated current liabilities determined in accordance with GAAP and (b) assets properly classified as intangible assets, in accordance with GAAP. - SINKING FUND: There is no sinking fund. - DEFEASANCE: We may choose to terminate some of our obligations under the notes as described under "Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance" on pages 10 and 11 of the attached prospectus. - TRUSTEE: We will issue the notes under an Indenture with Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as trustee, dated as of May 25, 1999. S-28 31 UNDERWRITING Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date hereof, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to such underwriter, the principal amount of notes set forth opposite the name of such underwriter: The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to purchase the notes included in this offering are subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the notes if they purchase any of the notes. The underwriters, for whom Salomon Smith Barney Inc., ABN AMRO Incorporated, Banc of America Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated are acting as representatives, propose to offer some of the notes directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this supplement and some of the notes to certain dealers at the public offering price less a concession not in excess of 0.400% of the principal amount of the notes. The underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of 0.250% of the principal amount of the notes on sales to certain other dealers. After the initial offering of the notes to the public, the public offering price and such concessions may be changed by the representatives. The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters by us in connection with this offering (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the notes).
NAME PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES ---- ------------------------- Salomon Smith Barney Inc........................... $165,000,000 ABN AMRO Incorporated.............................. 45,000,000 Banc of America Securities LLC..................... 45,000,000 Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated......................... 45,000,000 ------------ Total......................................... $300,000,000 ============ In connection with the offering, Salomon Smith Barney Inc., on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell notes in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales of notes in excess of the principal amount of the notes to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. Syndicate covering transactions involves purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of notes made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the notes while the offering is in progress. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when Salomon Smith Barney Inc., in covering syndicate short positions or making stabilizing purchases, repurchases notes originally sold by that syndicate member. Any of these activities may cause the price of the notes to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of such transactions. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. S-29
PAID BY THE COMPANY ------------------- Per note............................................... 0.650% 32 We estimate that our total expenses of this offering will be $330,000. The representatives have performed certain investment banking and advisory serviced on our behalf from time to time for which they have received customary fees and expenses. The representatives may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services on our behalf in the ordinary course of their business. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any of those liabilities. LEGAL MATTERS Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP of Denver, Colorado has rendered an opinion which was filed as an exhibit to the registration statement with respect to the legality of the notes. Legal matters with respect to the notes will be passed upon for the underwriters by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York. Each of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP have from time to time represented us, and may in the future from time to time represent us, in connection with various matters. See "Legal Matters" in the accompanying prospectus. S-30 33 PROSPECTUS $500,000,000 [NRG LOGO] NRG ENERGY, INC. DEBT SECURITIES We may sell at various times up to U.S. $500,000,000 worth of notes, debentures or other debt securities in one or more series with the same or different terms. We may sell the debt securities through agents, dealers or underwriters we designate from time to time. We will determine the specific terms of the debt securities at the time we sell them and include the following information in a prospectus supplement: - - Total amount of securities offered - - Maturity date of debt securities - - Interest rates or method of calculating interest rates - - Interest payment dates - - Purchase price - - Terms for repayment or redemption, if any - - Currencies or currency units in which the debt securities are denominated or payable - - Form of debt securities (registered, bearer or uncertificated) - - Whether the debt securities will be represented initially by a single temporary or permanent global note - - Agent, dealer or underwriter, if any - - Commission an agent will receive or discount a dealer or underwriter will receive and an estimate of the net proceeds we will receive - - Any other terms applicable to the debt securities ------------------ Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. ------------------ THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS APRIL 7, 1999 34 WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-732-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. You may also obtain copies of these materials from the public reference section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. You should read the registration statement for further information about us and the debt securities. You may inspect the registration statement and its exhibits without charge at the office of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C. 20549, and you may obtain copies from the SEC at prescribed rates. The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. The information filed by us with the SEC in the future will update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until we sell all the debt securities: 1. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998; and 2. Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1999. You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following address or telephone number: Investor Relations NRG Energy, Inc. 1221 Nicollet Mall, Suite 700 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403 (612) 373-5300 You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of these documents. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This prospectus contains or incorporates by reference statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can typically identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words, such as "may," "will," "could," "project," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "estimate," "continue," "potential," "plan," "forecasts," and the like. These statements represent our intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors. Many of these factors are outside our control and could cause 2 35 actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others: - general economic conditions in countries in which we do business - industry restructuring, changes in the market price of electricity and industry capacity - demographic changes - technology changes - changes in electricity usage patterns and practices - changes in fuel pricing - our ability to become Year 2000 ready and the ability of our customers and suppliers to become Year 2000 ready THE COMPANY GENERAL We are one of the leading participants in the independent power generation industry. We are principally engaged in the acquisition, development and operation of, and ownership of interests in, independent power production and co-generation facilities, thermal energy production and transmission facilities and resource recovery facilities. The power generation facilities in which we currently have interests (including those under construction) as of December 31, 1998 have a total design capacity of 10,605 megawatts ("MW"), of which we have or will have total or shared operational responsibility for 6,966 MW and net ownership of, or leasehold interests in, 3,300 MW. In addition, we have substantial interests in district heating and cooling systems and steam generation and transmission operations. As of December 31, 1998, these thermal businesses had a steam capacity of approximately 3,750 million British thermal units per hour. Our refuse-derived fuel ("RDF") plants processed more than 1,350,000 tons of municipal solid waste into approximately 1,100,000 tons of RDF during 1998. We have experienced significant growth in the last year, expanding from 2,650 MW of net ownership interests in power generation facilities (including those under construction) as of December 31, 1997 to 3,300 MW of net ownership interests as of December 31, 1998. This growth resulted primarily from a number of domestic and international investments and acquisitions. Our headquarters and principal executive offices are located at 1221 Nicollet Mall, Suite 700, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403. Our telephone number is (612) 373-5300. We were established in 1989 and are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern States Power Company ("NSP"). USE OF PROCEEDS Unless otherwise specified in the supplement which accompanies this prospectus, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the debt securities for general corporate purposes, which may include financing the development and construction of new facilities, additions to working capital, reductions of our indebtedness and the indebtedness of our subsidiaries, financing of capital expenditures and pending or potential acquisitions. We may invest funds not immediately required for such purposes in short-term investment grade securities. The amount and timing of sales of the debt securities will depend on market conditions and the availability to us of other funds. 3 36 EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES RATIO The following table sets forth the ratio of our earnings to our fixed charges for the periods indicated: - ------------------------- (1) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is calculated by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose "earnings" means income (loss) before income taxes less undistributed equity in our share of operating earnings of unconsolidated affiliates less equity in gain from project termination settlements plus cash distributions from project termination settlements plus fixed charges. "Fixed charges" means interest expense plus interest capitalized plus amortization of debt issuance costs plus a reasonable approximation of the interest factor of rental expenses. (2) Due primarily to interest expense and undistributed equity from unconsolidated affiliates, earnings did not cover fixed charges by $7.3 million. DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES This prospectus describes the general terms and provisions of our debt securities. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities. The following summaries of certain provisions of the indenture and the debt securities do not purport to be complete. Except to the extent set forth in the supplement with respect to a particular issue of debt securities, the indenture or indentures for the debt securities will be substantially similar. Unless otherwise stated in the supplement, the trustee under the first indenture under which debt securities will be issued will be Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association. (See "Concerning the Trustee.") GENERAL The debt securities will be unsecured senior obligations of the Company, as set forth in the accompanying supplement. Because we conduct substantially all of our business through numerous subsidiaries and affiliates, all existing and future liabilities of our direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates will be effectively senior to the debt securities. The debt securities will not be guaranteed by, or otherwise be obligations of, our project subsidiaries and project affiliates, or our other direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates or NSP. Reference is made to the accompanying supplement for the following terms of and information relating to the debt securities (to the extent such terms are applicable to such debt securities): - the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, purchase price and denomination; - the date of maturity; - the interest rate or rates (or the method by which such rate will be determined), if any; - the date from which interest will accrue and dates on which any such interest will be payable; - our rights to defer interest, if any; 4
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ---------------------------------------- 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 ---- ----- ----- ----- ----- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1).................. (2) 1.16x 1.75x 1.56x 2.98x 37 - the place or places where the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable; - any redemption, repayment or sinking fund provisions; - our obligation, if any, to offer to purchase the debt securities in the event of a "Change of Control" (as defined below); - any applicable material federal income tax consequences; and - any other material specific terms of the debt securities, including any material additional events of default or covenants provided for with respect to the debt securities and any material terms that may be required by or advisable under applicable laws or regulations. The debt securities will bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate. Debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate may be sold or deemed to be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. With respect to any debt securities as to which we have the right to defer interest, the holders of such debt securities may be allocated interest income for federal and state income tax purposes without receiving equivalent, or any, interest payments. Any material federal income tax considerations applicable to any such discounted debt securities or to certain debt securities issued at par that are treated as having been issued at a discount for federal income tax purposes will be described in the supplement. GLOBAL DEBT SECURITIES If any debt securities are represented by one or more global securities, the applicable supplement will describe the terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to such global securities. REDEMPTION Except as may otherwise be set forth in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will provide that, we, at any time, may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part (if in part, by lot or by such other method as the trustee shall deem fair or appropriate) at the redemption price of 100% of principal amount of such debt securities, plus accrued interest on the principal amount, if any, to the redemption date, plus the applicable "Make-Whole Premium" (as discussed below). Except as may otherwise be set forth in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will provide that, to determine the applicable Make-Whole Premium for any debt security, an independent investment banking institution of national standing that we select will compute, as of the third business day prior to the redemption date, the sum of the present values of all of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest from the redemption date to maturity on such debt security computed on a semiannual basis by discounting such payments (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) using a rate to be set forth in the supplement. If the sum of these present values of the remaining payments as computed above exceeds the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the debt security that we will redeem plus any accrued but unpaid interest thereon, the difference will be payable as a premium upon redemption of such debt security. If the sum is equal to or less than such principal amount plus accrued interest, we will pay no premium with respect to such debt security. 5 38 CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS In addition to such other covenants, if any, as may be described in the accompanying supplement and except as may otherwise be set forth therein, the indenture will require us, subject to certain limitations described therein, to, among other things, do the following: - deliver to the trustee copies of all reports filed with the SEC; - deliver to the trustee annual officers' certificates with respect to our compliance with our obligations under the indenture; - maintain our corporate existence subject to the provisions described below relating to mergers and consolidations; and - pay our taxes when due except where we are contesting such taxes in good faith. The indenture may also, as set forth in the accompanying supplement, restrict our business or operations or that of our subsidiaries or limit our indebtedness. RESTRICTIONS ON LIENS Except as may otherwise be set forth in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will provide that, so long as any of the debt securities are outstanding, we will not pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or permit to exist any mortgage, pledge or other lien upon any property at any time directly owned by us to secure any indebtedness for money borrowed which is incurred, issued, assumed or guaranteed by us ("Indebtedness"), without making effective provisions whereby the debt securities shall be equally and ratably secured with any and all such Indebtedness and with any other Indebtedness similarly entitled to be equally and ratably secured; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to or prevent the creation or existence of: (i) liens existing at the original date of issuance of the debt securities; (ii) purchase money liens which do not exceed the cost or value of the purchased property; (iii) other liens not to exceed 10% of our "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" (defined below) and (iv) liens granted in connection with extending, renewing, replacing or refinancing in whole or in part the Indebtedness (including, without limitation, increasing the principal amount of such Indebtedness) secured by liens described in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii). Except as may otherwise be provided in the accompanying supplement, "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" will be defined as the following: as of the date of any determination thereof, the total amount of all our assets determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP as of such date less the sum of (a) our consolidated current liabilities determined in accordance with GAAP and (b) assets properly classified as intangible assets, in accordance with GAAP. Except as may otherwise be set forth in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will further provide that, in the event we propose to pledge, mortgage or hypothecate any property at any time directly owned by us to secure any Indebtedness, other than as permitted by clauses (i) through (iv) of the previous paragraph, we will agree to give prior written notice thereof to the trustee, who shall give notice to the holders of debt securities, and we will further agree, prior to or simultaneously with such pledge, mortgage or hypothecation, effectively to secure all the debt securities equally and ratably with such Indebtedness. The foregoing covenant will not restrict the ability of our subsidiaries and affiliates to pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or permit to exist any mortgage, pledge or lien upon their assets, in connection with project financings or otherwise. 6 39 CHANGE OF CONTROL Except as may otherwise be set forth in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will provide that, if a Change of Control occurs, we will be obligated to offer to purchase all outstanding debt securities. We will conduct any offer to purchase debt securities upon a Change of Control in compliance with applicable regulations under the federal securities laws, including Exchange Act Rule 14e-l. Any limitations on our financial ability to purchase debt securities upon a Change of Control will be described in the accompanying supplement. Except as may otherwise be provided in the accompanying supplement, a "Change of Control" will be defined in the indenture as any of the following: - NSP (or its successors) ceases to own a majority of our outstanding voting stock; - at any time following the occurrence of the event described immediately above, a person or group of persons (other than NSP) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, or has the absolute power to direct the vote of more than 35% of our voting stock; or - during any one year period, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute our board of directors cease to be a majority of the board of directors (unless approved by a majority of the current directors then in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or who were previously so approved). A Change of Control shall be deemed not to have occurred if, following such an event described above, the debt securities are rated BBB- or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group and Baa3 or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Except as may otherwise be set forth in the accompanying supplement, our failure to comply with the Change of Control covenant as to the debt securities will be an "Event of Default" (as defined below) under the indenture. See "Events of Default" below. Except as may be provided otherwise in the accompanying supplement, the Change of Control provisions may not be waived by the trustee or the board of directors, and any modification thereof must be approved by each holder of a debt security. We cannot assure you that we would have sufficient liquidity to effectuate any required repurchase of debt securities upon a Change of Control. Except as may be provided otherwise in the accompanying supplement, within 30 days following any Change of Control, we will be required to mail a notice to each debt security holder (with a copy to the trustee) stating: - that a Change of Control has occurred and that such holder has the right to require us to repurchase such holder's debt securities (the "Change of Control Offer"); - the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change of Control (including information with respect to pro forma historical income, cash flow and capitalization after giving effect to such Change of Control); - the repurchase date (which shall be a business day and be not earlier than 30 days or later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the "Repurchase Date")); - that interest on any debt security tendered will continue to accrue; - that interest on any debt security accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue after the Repurchase Date; - that debt security holders electing to have a debt security purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the debt security, with the form entitled "Option to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the debt security completed, to the trustee at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the Repurchase Date; 7 40 - that debt security holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the trustee receives, not later than the close of business on the third business day (or such shorter periods as may be required by applicable law) preceding the Repurchase Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile or letter setting forth the name of the debt security holder, the principal amount of debt securities the holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such debt security holder is withdrawing its election to have such debt securities purchased; and - that debt security holders that elect to have their debt securities purchased only in part will be issued new debt securities in a principal amount equal to the unpurchased portion of the debt securities surrendered. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE Except as may otherwise be provided in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will provide that we will not merge or consolidate with or into any other person and we will not sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets to any person, unless we are the continuing corporation, or the successor corporation or the person that acquires all or substantially all of our assets is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or a State thereof or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes all of our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture, and, immediately after such merger, consolidation, sale, lease or conveyance, such person or such successor corporation is not in default in the performance of the covenants and conditions in the indenture. The meaning of the term "all or substantially all of the assets" has not been definitely established and is likely to be interpreted by reference to applicable state law if and at the time the issue arises and will be dependent on the facts and circumstances existing at the time. Except as may be provided otherwise in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will provide that, except for a sale of our assets substantially as an entirety as provided above, and other than assets we are required to sell to conform with governmental regulations, we may not sell or otherwise dispose of any assets (other than short-term, readily marketable investments purchased for cash management purposes with funds not representing the proceeds of other asset sales) if on a pro forma basis, the aggregate net book value of all such sales during the most recent 12-month period would exceed 10% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets computed as of the end of the most recent quarter preceding such sale; provided, however, that any such sales shall be disregarded for purposes of this 10% limitation if the proceeds are invested in assets in similar or related lines of our business and, provided further, that we may sell or otherwise dispose of assets in excess of such 10% if we retain the proceeds from such sales or dispositions, which are not reinvested as provided above, as cash or cash equivalents or we use the proceeds to purchase and retire the debt securities. REPORTING OBLIGATIONS Except as may be provided otherwise in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will provide that we will furnish or cause to be furnished to holders of debt securities copies of our annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act within 15 days after we file them with the SEC. EVENTS OF DEFAULT Except as may be described in the accompanying supplement, an "Event of Default" will be defined under the indenture as being: (a) our failure to pay any interest on any senior debt security when due, which failure continues for 30 days; 8 41 (b) our failure to pay principal or premium (including in connection with a Change of Control) when due; (c) our failure to perform any other covenant relative to the debt securities or the indenture for a period of 30 days after the trustee gives us written notice or we receive written notice by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; (d) an event of default occurring under any of our instruments under which there may be issued, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed that has resulted in the acceleration of such indebtedness, or any default occurring in payment of any such indebtedness at final maturity (and after the expiration of any applicable grace periods), other than (i) indebtedness which is payable solely out of the property or assets of a partnership, joint venture or similar entity of which we or any of our subsidiaries or affiliates is a participant, or which is secured by a lien on the property or assets owned or held by such entity, without further recourse to us or (ii) indebtedness not exceeding $20,000,000; (e) one or more final judgments, decrees or orders of any court, tribunal, arbitrator, administrative or other governmental body or similar entity for the payment of money aggregating more than $20,000,000 shall be rendered against us (excluding the amount thereof covered by insurance) and shall remain undischarged, unvacated and unstayed for more than 90 days, except while being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; and (f) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization in respect of us. The indenture will provide that if an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default due to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) has occurred and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities outstanding under the indenture, or such other amount as may be specified in the supplement, may then declare the principal of all debt securities under that indenture and interest accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately. Except to the extent otherwise stated in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will contain a provision entitling the trustee, subject to the duty of the trustee during a default to act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified by the holders of debt securities before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the indenture at the request of such holders. Subject to such provisions in the indenture for the indemnification of the trustee and certain other limitations, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee. Except to the extent otherwise stated in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will provide that no holder of debt securities may institute any action against us under the indenture (except actions for payment of overdue principal or interest) unless: - such holder previously has given the trustee written notice of the default and continuance thereof; - the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding have requested the trustee to institute such action and offered the trustee reasonable indemnity; - the trustee has not instituted such action within 60 days of the request; and - the trustee has not received direction inconsistent with such written request from the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding under the indenture. 9 42 DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE DEFEASANCE Except to the extent otherwise stated in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will provide that we will be deemed to have paid and will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities, on the 123rd day after the deposit referred to below has been made, and the provisions of the indenture will cease to be applicable with respect to the debt securities (except for, among other matters, certain obligations to register the transfer of or exchange of the debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and to hold funds for payment in trust) if (A) we have deposited with the trustee, in trust, money and/or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined in the indenture) that, through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the debt securities, at the time such payments are due in accordance with the terms of the indenture, (B) we have delivered to the trustee (i) an opinion of counsel to the effect that debt security holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of our exercise of our option under the defeasance provisions of the indenture and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred, which opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service to the same effect or a change in applicable federal income tax law or related treasury regulations after the date of the indenture and (ii) an opinion of counsel to the effect that the defeasance trust does not constitute an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and after the passage of 123 days following the deposit, the trust fund will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law, (C) immediately after giving effect to such deposit, no Event of Default, or event that after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 123rd day after the date of such deposit, and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which we are a party or by which we are bound and (D) if at such time the debt securities are listed on a national securities exchange, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the debt securities will not be delisted as a result of such deposit and discharge. DEFEASANCE OF CERTAIN COVENANTS AND CERTAIN EVENTS OF DEFAULT Except to the extent otherwise stated in the accompanying supplement, the indenture for the debt securities will further provide that the provisions of the indenture will cease to be applicable with respect to (i) the covenants described under "Change of Control" and (ii) clause (c) under "Events of Default" with respect to such covenants and clauses (d) and (e) under "Events of Default" upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations that through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the debt securities, the satisfaction of the conditions described in clauses (B)(ii), (C) and (D) of the preceding paragraph and our delivery to the trustee of an opinion of counsel to the effect that, among other things, the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain covenants and Events of Default and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred. 10 43 DEFEASANCE AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS OF DEFAULT Except to the extent otherwise stated in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will provide that if we exercise our option to omit compliance with certain covenants and provisions of the indenture with respect to the debt securities as described in the immediately preceding paragraph and the debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of an Event of Default that remains applicable, the amount of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities at the time of their stated maturity, but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities at the time of acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. In such event, we shall remain liable for such payments. MODIFICATIONS TO THE INDENTURE Except as may otherwise be set forth in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will contain provisions permitting us and the trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding, to modify the indenture or the rights of the debt security holders, except that no such modification may, without the consent of each debt security holder, (i) extend the final maturity of any of the debt securities or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof, or impair or affect the right of any debt security holder to institute suit for the payment thereof or make any change in the covenant regarding a Change of Control or (ii) reduce the percentage of debt securities, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such modification. Except as may otherwise be set forth in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will provide that we and the trustee without the consent of any debt security holder may amend the indenture and the debt securities for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision thereof, or in any manner which we and the trustee may determine is not inconsistent with the debt securities and will not adversely affect the interest of any debt security holder. BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM Except as may otherwise be set forth in the accompanying supplement, the indenture will provide that the debt securities will initially be issued in the form of one or more registered notes in global form (the "Global Notes"). Each Global Note will be deposited on the date of the closing of the sale of the debt securities with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), as depositary, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as DTC's nominee. DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participants (the "Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC's system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the "Indirect Participants"). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interest and transfer of ownership interest of each actual purchase of each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants. We expect that pursuant to procedures established by DTC, (i) upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC will credit the accounts of Participants designated by the underwriters with portions of 11 44 the principal amount of the Global Notes and (ii) ownership of such interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes). Investors in the Global Notes may hold their interests therein directly through DTC if they are Participants in such system, or indirectly through organizations which are Participants in such system. All interests in a Global Note may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in certificated form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of Participants, which in turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants and certain banks, the ability of a person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge such interest to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests. For certain other restrictions on the transferability of the debt securities, see "-- Exchange of Book-Entry Debt Securities for Certificated Debt Securities" below. Except as described below, owners of interests in the Global Notes will not have debt securities registered in their name, will not receive physical delivery of debt securities in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners of holders thereof under the indenture for any purpose. Payments in respect of the Global Notes registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable by the trustee to DTC in its capacity as the registered holder under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, the trustee will treat the persons in whose names the debt securities, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all purposes whatsoever. Consequently, neither the trustee nor any agent thereof has or will have any responsibility or liability for (i) any aspect of DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect Participant's records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect Participant's records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Note or (ii) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants. DTC's current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the debt securities, is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date, in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings in principal amount of beneficial interests in the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of Notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the trustee or us. Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the debt securities, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes. Except as may otherwise be set forth in the accompanying supplement, DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of the debt securities only at the direction of one or more Participants to whose account with DTC interests in the Global Notes are credited and only in respect of such portion of the Notes as to which such Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for debt securities in certificated form and to distribute such debt securities to its Participants. The information in this section concerning DTC and its book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we have not independently determined the accuracy 12 45 thereof. We will not have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its Participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations. EXCHANGE OF BOOK ENTRY DEBT SECURITIES FOR CERTIFICATED DEBT SECURITIES Except as may otherwise be set forth in the accompanying supplement, a Global Note is exchangeable for debt securities in registered certificated form if (i) DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as clearing agency for the Global Note or has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and we thereupon fail to appoint a successor clearing agency within 90 days, (ii) we in our sole discretion elect to cause the issuance of definitive certificated debt securities or (iii) there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default or any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would be an Event of Default under the indenture. In addition, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be exchanged for certificated debt securities upon request but only upon at least 20 days, prior written notice given to the trustee by or on behalf of DTC in accordance with customary procedures. In all cases certificated debt securities delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interest therein will be registered in the names, and issued in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, requested by or on behalf of the clearing agency (in accordance with its customary procedures). CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE Unless otherwise stated in the supplement, the trustee under the first indenture under which debt securities will be issued will be Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, and, unless stated in the applicable supplement, (i) it or any other trustee may also be the trustee under any other indenture for debt securities and (ii) any trustee or its affiliates may lend money to us, including under our principal credit facility, and may from time to time have lender or other business arrangements with us. The indenture will contain certain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it or its affiliates then be our creditors, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee and its affiliates will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if they acquire any conflicting interest, the conflict must be eliminated or the trustee must resign. GOVERNING LAW Unless otherwise specified in the accompanying supplement, the indenture and the debt securities will be governed by New York law. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION We may offer and sell the debt securities (i) through agents, (ii) through underwriters, (iii) through dealers, (iv) directly to purchasers (through a specific bidding or auction process or otherwise), or (v) through a combination of any such methods of sale. The distribution of the debt securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Offers to purchase the debt securities may be solicited by agents designated by us from time to time. Any such agent involved in the offer or sale of the debt securities will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth, in the supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the debt securities so offered and sold. 13 46 If an underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of the debt securities, we will execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for such sale is reached. The names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers, which may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions, if any, will be set forth in the supplement, which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the debt securities. If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the debt securities, we or an underwriter will sell such debt securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such debt securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions will be set forth in the supplement relating thereto. Offers to purchase the debt securities may be solicited directly by us and sales thereof may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others. The terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if utilized, will be described in the supplement relating thereto. We may enter into agreements with agents, underwriters and dealers under which we may agree to indemnify then against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof. The terms and conditions of such indemnification or contribution will be described in the applicable supplement. Certain of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business. LEGAL MATTERS Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP of Denver, Colorado will issue an opinion to us relating to the legality of the debt securities. If legal matters in connection with offerings made by this prospectus are passed on by counsel for the underwriters of an offering of the debt securities, that counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering. EXPERTS The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. 14 47 ================================================================================ $300,000,000 NRG ENERGY, INC. 7 1/2% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2009 [NRG LOGO] ------------------ PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT MAY 20, 1999 ------------------ SALOMON SMITH BARNEY ABN AMRO INCORPORATED BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC MERRILL LYNCH & CO. ================================================================================