1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) APRIL 7, 2000 ------------------- NRG ENERGY, INC. ---------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE -------- (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 333-33397 41-1724239 ---------------------- ----------------------------- (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 1221 NICOLLET MALL, SUITE 700 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55403 --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code 612-373-5300 ---------------- (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

2 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS On March 31, 2000, NRG Energy, Inc (NRG) a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern States Power Company, announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Louisiana Generating LLC acquired two fossil fueled generating plants from Cajun Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. The two plants, located near New Roads, Louisiana, consist of a two-unit, 220 megawatt (MW) gas-turbine generating station and a three-unit, 1,488 MW coal-fired generating station. The total purchase price of $1.026 billion was funded through an $800 million bond offering and an equity contribution from NRG. Other details are contained in the news release attached as Exhibit 99.5. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. (c) Exhibits Exhibit No. 99.5 - March 31, 2000, News Release from NRG titled "NRG Energy Unit Louisiana Generating Completes Purchase of Cajun Electric Power Cooperative Generation Assets".

3 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. NRG Energy, Inc (Registrant) By /s/ Leonard A. Bluhm ---------------------- Leonard A. Bluhm Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) Dated: April 7, 2000 ---------------

1 EXHIBIT 99.5 NRG ENERGY, INC. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 31, 2000 NRG Energy Unit Louisiana Generating Completes Purchase of Cajun Electric Power Cooperative Generation Assets MINNEAPOLIS (March 31, 2000) - NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG Energy), a wholly owned subsidiary of Northern States Power Company (NYSE: NSP), announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary Louisiana Generating LLC (Louisiana Generating) has completed the purchase of 1,708 megawatts of fossil fuel generating assets from Cajun Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (Cajun). The stated price in the asset purchase agreement was $1.026 billion. "The completion of the Cajun purchase brings a successful end to a long and complex bankruptcy process," said Craig Mataczynski, president and chief executive officer of NRG North America. "Louisiana Generating now will focus on providing low-cost, reliable energy that will help promote the economic growth of the region served by the member cooperatives. We will also focus on developing additional business opportunities in the region." Louisiana Generating's fossil assets consist of two plants near New Roads, La., a two-unit, 220 MW gas-turbine generating station and a three-unit, 1,488 MW coal-fired generating station. In October 1999, Louisiana Generating was confirmed as the winning bidder for the Cajun assets. Cajun had sought bankruptcy protection in December 1994 amid financial problems related to an investment in the River Bend Nuclear Power Plant near St. Francisville, La. Cajun produced and sold electricity to 11 distribution cooperatives, which deliver power to more than one million people in Louisiana, as well as to three off-system customers. Louisiana Generating will continue to serve the distribution cooperatives and off-system customers under a mix of long-term and short-term contracts. NRG Energy is one of the world's leading independent power producers, specializing in the development, construction, operation, maintenance and ownership of electric generation facilities. Established in 1989, NRG is involved in over 28,000 MW of high quality projects throughout the United States, Europe, the Pacific Rim, and Latin America, utilizing diverse fuel types including natural and landfill gas, hydro, and solid fuels such as coal, lignite, biomass and refuse-derived fuel. Certain information included in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking. Such forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of NRG Energy. For more information regarding these risks and uncertainties, review NRG Energy's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ### CONTACTS: Frank Rapley Trudy Marshall Directors Communications NRG Energy, Inc. 612/373-5410 frank.rapley@nrgenergy.com