<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March&nbsp;29, 2004



<P align="right" style="font-size: 10pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-___



<HR size="4" noshade color="#000000" style="margin-top: -5px">
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000" style="margin-top: -10px">





<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<P>
<HR noshade width="26%" align="center" size="1">
<P>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>


<P>
<HR noshade width="26%" align="center" size="1">
<P>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt"><B>NRG ENERGY, INC.</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>



<P>
<HR noshade width="26%" align="center" size="1">
<P>



<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)<BR>
<B>901 Marquette Avenue, Suite&nbsp;2300<BR>
Minneapolis, MN</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>41-1724239</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)<BR>
<B>55402</B><BR>
(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>NRG Energy, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">Scott J. Davido<BR>
Senior Vice President and General Counsel<BR>
NRG Energy, Inc.<BR>
901 Marquette Avenue, Suite&nbsp;2300<BR>
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402<BR>
(612)&nbsp;373-5300<BR>
(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">with copies to:


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="55%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Margaret A. Gibson, P.C.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Gerald T. Nowak</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Kirkland &#038; Ellis LLP
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Kirkland &#038; Ellis LLP</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">200 E. Randolph Drive
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">200 E. Randolph Drive</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Chicago, Illinois 60601
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chicago, Illinois 60601</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">(312) 861-2000
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">(312) 861-2000</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>&nbsp;</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>&nbsp;</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of Each Class of</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Securities to be</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount to be</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price per</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Aggregate Offering</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registration</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Registered</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registered (1)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Share (2)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Price</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Fee</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px">Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per
share</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">4,000,000</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">21.10</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">84,400,000</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">10,694</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933,
this registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of
interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the employee benefit plan(s)
described herein.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) solely for purposes of calculating the
aggregate offering price and the amount of the registration fee based upon
the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock reported in the
over-the-counter market on March&nbsp;24, 2004.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P>
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000" style="margin-top: -2px">
<HR size="4" noshade color="#000000" style="margin-top: -10px">






<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>


<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#010">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c83965exv4.htm">Long-Term Incentive Plan</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c83965exv5.htm">Opinion and Consent of Kirkland & Ellis LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c83965exv23w1.htm">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- /TOC -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>



<!-- link1 "PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART I<BR><BR>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All information required by Part&nbsp;I to be contained in the prospectus is
omitted from this registration statement in accordance with Rule&nbsp;428 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), and the Note to Part
I of Form S-8.

<!-- link1 "PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART II<BR><BR>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>


<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Commission allows the Registrant to &#147;incorporate by reference&#148; the
information it files with them, which means:


<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">&#149;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>incorporated documents are considered part of this Registration Statement,</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">&#149;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>the Registrant can disclose important information
to you by referring you to those documents,</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">&#149;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>information that the Registrant files with the
Commission will automatically update this Registration
Statement and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">&#149;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
registration statement shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the
extent that a statement contained in this registration
statement or in any other subsequently filed document which
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
registration statement modifies or supersedes that statement.
Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
this registration statement.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant incorporates by reference the documents listed below that
were filed with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;):


<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December&nbsp;31, 2003.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January&nbsp;7,
2004, January&nbsp;30, 2004, March&nbsp;2, 2004, March&nbsp;11, 2004 and
March&nbsp;16, 2004.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of our common stock contained in
our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on December&nbsp;10,
2003, as amended by Form 8-A/A filed on March&nbsp;22, 2004.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents we subsequently file pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered by this registration
statement have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration
statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of those documents.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>


<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B><I>Delaware General Corporation Law</I></B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a
corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other
than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact
that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys&#146;
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe such person&#146;s conduct was unlawful.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(b) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a
corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in
the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of
the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense
or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in
a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made
in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have
been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent
that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit
was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of
liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the
Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that to
the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has
been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to in Section 145(a) and (b), or in defense of any claim,
issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses
(including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection therewith.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(d) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that any
indemnification under Section 145(a) and (b) (unless ordered by a court) shall
be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a
determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent
is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in Section 145(a) and (b). Such determination
shall be made (1)&nbsp;by a majority vote of the directors who were not parties to
such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2)&nbsp;if
there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent
legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3)&nbsp;by the stockholders.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(e) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that
expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) incurred by an officer or director in
defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or
proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition
of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on
behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately
be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the
corporation as authorized in Section&nbsp;145. Such expenses (including attorneys&#146;
fees) incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and
conditions, if any, as the board of directors deems appropriate.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(f) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that the
indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant
to, Section&nbsp;145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which
those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under
any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">-2-
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(g) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a
corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf
of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such
person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such
person&#146;s capacity as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power
to indemnify such person against such liability under Section&nbsp;145.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B><I>NRG Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
By-laws</I></B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant
provides, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law and except as
otherwise provided in its by-laws, no director of the Registrant shall be
liable to it or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty. Furthermore, the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Registrant provide
that each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party
to or is otherwise involved (including involvement as a witness) in any action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative,
by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the
Registrant or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant or, while a director
or officer of the Registrant or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant, is
or was serving at the request of the Registrant or a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Registrant as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager,
trustee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint
venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity or enterprise,
including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an &#147;indemnitee&#148;),
shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Registrant to the fullest extent
authorized by Delaware Law, against all expense, liability and loss (including
attorneys&#146; fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid
in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection
therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has
ceased to be a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee,
fiduciary or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee&#146;s heirs,
executors and administrators. This right of indemnification includes our
obligation to provide an advance of expenses, although the indemnitee may be
required to repay such an advance if there is a judicial determination that the
indemnitee was not entitled to the indemnification.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Amended and Restated By-laws of the Registrant also permits the
Registrant to purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf
of any other person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Registrant or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant or was serving at
request of the Registrant or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See the Exhibit&nbsp;Index included elsewhere herein.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;in the Registration Statement;


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;or any
material change to such information in the Registration Statement;


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">-3-
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>provided, however</I>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply
if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to
the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual
report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">-4-
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota, on March&nbsp;29, 2004.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="65%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="39%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="71%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left"><B>NRG ENERGY, INC.</B></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:
</TD>
    <TD>/s/</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">DAVID W. CRANE</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" colspan="2" valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade width="65%" align="left"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">David W. Crane</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" nowrap valign="top">President and Chief Executive Officer</TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Each of the undersigned whose signature appears below hereby constitutes
and appoints each of Scott J. Davido, David T. Quinby and Timothy W. O&#146;Brien or
any of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in his
or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (including all pre-effective and post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be
done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or
she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that any such
attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">* * * * *



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on March&nbsp;29, 2004.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="39%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Signature</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ DAVID W. CRANE
<HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;David
W. Crane
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director<BR>
(Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ GEORGE P. SCHAEFER
<HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;George
P. Schaefer
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Vice President and Treasurer<BR>
(Principal Financial Officer)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ WILLIAM T. PIEPER
<HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;William
T. Pieper
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Vice President and Controller<BR>
(Principal Accounting Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ HOWARD E. COSGROVE
<HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;Howard E. Cosgrove
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman of the Board of Directors</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ RAMON BETOLAZA
<HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;Ramon
Betolaza
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ JOHN
F. CHLEBOWSKI
<HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;John
F. Chlebowski
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
<HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;Lawrence
Coben
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">-5-
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="39%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Signature</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;STEPHEN
L. CROPPER
<HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;Stephen
L. Cropper
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;HERBERT
H. TATE
<HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;Herbert
H. Tate
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ MARK R. PATTERSON
<HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;Mark
R. Patterson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ FRANK S. PLIMPTON
<HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;Frank
S. Plimpton
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/&nbsp;THOMAS WEIDEMEYER
<HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;Thomas Weidemeyer
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ WALTER
R. YOUNG
<HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;Walter
R. Young
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">-6-
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>&nbsp;</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Number</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">3.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NRG Energy,
Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 of NRG Energy,
Inc.&#146;s annual report on Form&nbsp;10-K filed on March&nbsp;16, 2004.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">3.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Amended and Restated By-laws of NRG Energy, Inc., incorporated by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 of NRG Energy, Inc.&#146;s annual report on
Form&nbsp;10-K filed on March&nbsp;16, 2004.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">NRG Energy, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Opinion of Kirkland &#038; Ellis LLP.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Consent of Kirkland &#038; Ellis LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5).</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this
Registration Statement).</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">-7-
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "c83965sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 47101}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "NRG ENERGY INC", "cik": "0001013871", "assigned-sic": "4911", "irs-number": "411724239", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-114007", "film-number": "04696600"}, "business-address": {"street1": "901 MARQUETTE AVE", "street2": "SUITE 2300", "city": "MINNEAPOLIS", "state": "MN", "zip": "55402", "phone": "6123735300"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1221 NICOLLET MALL", "street2": "SUITE 700", "city": "MINNEAPOLIS", "state": "MN", "zip": "55403"}}
sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2004
Registration No. 333-___
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
NRG ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
901 Marquette Avenue, Suite 2300
Minneapolis, MN
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
41-1724239
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
55402
(Zip Code)
NRG Energy, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Scott J. Davido
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
NRG Energy, Inc.
901 Marquette Avenue, Suite 2300
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
(612) 373-5300
(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
with copies to:
Margaret A. Gibson, P.C.
Gerald T. Nowak
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
200 E. Randolph Drive
200 E. Randolph Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 861-2000
(312) 861-2000
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Title of Each Class of
Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Amount of
Securities to be
Amount to be
Offering Price per
Aggregate Offering
Registration
Registered
Registered (1)
Share (2)
Price
Fee
Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per
share
4,000,000
$
21.10
$
84,400,000
$
10,694
(1)
In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933,
this registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of
interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the employee benefit plan(s)
described herein.
(2)
Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) solely for purposes of calculating the
aggregate offering price and the amount of the registration fee based upon
the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock reported in the
over-the-counter market on March 24, 2004.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Item 4. Description of Securities
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
Item 8. Exhibits
Item 9. Undertakings
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
Long-Term Incentive Plan
Opinion and Consent of Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Table of Contents
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS
All information required by Part I to be contained in the prospectus is
omitted from this registration statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the Note to Part
I of Form S-8.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The Commission allows the Registrant to "incorporate by reference" the
information it files with them, which means:
•
incorporated documents are considered part of this Registration Statement,
•
the Registrant can disclose important information
to you by referring you to those documents,
•
information that the Registrant files with the
Commission will automatically update this Registration
Statement and
•
any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
registration statement shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the
extent that a statement contained in this registration
statement or in any other subsequently filed document which
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
registration statement modifies or supersedes that statement.
Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
this registration statement.
The Registrant incorporates by reference the documents listed below that
were filed with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"):
(a)
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2003.
(b)
Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 7,
2004, January 30, 2004, March 2, 2004, March 11, 2004 and
March 16, 2004.
(c)
The description of our common stock contained in
our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on December 10,
2003, as amended by Form 8-A/A filed on March 22, 2004.
All documents we subsequently file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered by this registration
statement have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration
statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of those documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Table of Contents
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Delaware General Corporation Law
Section 145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a
corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other
than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact
that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe such person's conduct was unlawful.
Section 145(b) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a
corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in
the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of
the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense
or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in
a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made
in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have
been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent
that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit
was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of
liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the
Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Section 145(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that to
the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has
been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to in Section 145(a) and (b), or in defense of any claim,
issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection therewith.
Section 145(d) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that any
indemnification under Section 145(a) and (b) (unless ordered by a court) shall
be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a
determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent
is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in Section 145(a) and (b). Such determination
shall be made (1) by a majority vote of the directors who were not parties to
such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) if
there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent
legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
Section 145(e) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that
expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or director in
defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or
proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition
of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on
behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately
be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the
corporation as authorized in Section 145. Such expenses (including attorneys'
fees) incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and
conditions, if any, as the board of directors deems appropriate.
Section 145(f) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that the
indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant
to, Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which
those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under
any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise.
-2-
Table of Contents
Section 145(g) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a
corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf
of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such
person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such
person's capacity as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power
to indemnify such person against such liability under Section 145.
NRG Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
By-laws
The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant
provides, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law and except as
otherwise provided in its by-laws, no director of the Registrant shall be
liable to it or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty. Furthermore, the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Registrant provide
that each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party
to or is otherwise involved (including involvement as a witness) in any action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative,
by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the
Registrant or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant or, while a director
or officer of the Registrant or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant, is
or was serving at the request of the Registrant or a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Registrant as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager,
trustee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint
venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity or enterprise,
including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an "indemnitee"),
shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Registrant to the fullest extent
authorized by Delaware Law, against all expense, liability and loss (including
attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid
in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection
therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has
ceased to be a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee,
fiduciary or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee's heirs,
executors and administrators. This right of indemnification includes our
obligation to provide an advance of expenses, although the indemnitee may be
required to repay such an advance if there is a judicial determination that the
indemnitee was not entitled to the indemnification.
The Amended and Restated By-laws of the Registrant also permits the
Registrant to purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf
of any other person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Registrant or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant or was serving at
request of the Registrant or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
See the Exhibit Index included elsewhere herein.
Item 9. Undertakings.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a)(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth
in the Registration Statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement
or any
material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
-3-
Table of Contents
provided, however
, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply
if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to
the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.
-4-
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota, on March 29, 2004.
NRG ENERGY, INC.
By:
/s/
DAVID W. CRANE
David W. Crane
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each of the undersigned whose signature appears below hereby constitutes
and appoints each of Scott J. Davido, David T. Quinby and Timothy W. O'Brien or
any of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in his
or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (including all pre-effective and post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be
done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or
she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that any such
attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
* * * * *
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on March 29, 2004.
Signature
Title
/s/ DAVID W. CRANE
David
W. Crane
President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ GEORGE P. SCHAEFER
George
P. Schaefer
Vice President and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ WILLIAM T. PIEPER
William
T. Pieper
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ HOWARD E. COSGROVE
Howard E. Cosgrove
Chairman of the Board of Directors
/s/ RAMON BETOLAZA
Ramon
Betolaza
Director
/s/ JOHN
F. CHLEBOWSKI
John
F. Chlebowski
Director
Lawrence
Coben
Director
-5-
Table of Contents
Signature
Title
/s/ STEPHEN
L. CROPPER
Stephen
L. Cropper
Director
/s/ HERBERT
H. TATE
Herbert
H. Tate
Director
/s/ MARK R. PATTERSON
Mark
R. Patterson
Director
/s/ FRANK S. PLIMPTON
Frank
S. Plimpton
Director
/s/ THOMAS WEIDEMEYER
Thomas Weidemeyer
Director
/s/ WALTER
R. YOUNG
Walter
R. Young
Director
-6-
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NRG Energy,
Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of NRG Energy,
Inc.'s annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2004.
3.2
Amended and Restated By-laws of NRG Energy, Inc., incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 of NRG Energy, Inc.'s annual report on
Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2004.
4
NRG Energy, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan.
5
Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2
Consent of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (included in Exhibit 5).
24
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this
Registration Statement).
-7-