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<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"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May&nbsp;21, 2004</B>



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

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

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


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">


<P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt"><B>Form&nbsp;S-8</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B></DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">


<P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt"><B>Xcel Energy Inc.</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><I>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</I></DIV>



<P><DIV style="position: relative; float: left; margin-right: 1%; width: 48%">

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>MINNESOTA</B><BR>
<I>(State or Other Jurisdiction of<BR>
Incorporation or Organization)</I>


</DIV>

<DIV style="position: relative; float: right; margin-left: 1%; width: 48%">

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>41-0448030</B><BR>
<I>(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification Number)</I>


</DIV>
<BR clear="all"><BR>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>800 Nicollet Mall<BR>
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402<BR>
(612)&nbsp;330-5500</B><BR>
<I>(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant&#146;s Principal Executive Offices)</I>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>STOCK EQUIVALENT PLAN FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS OF XCEL ENERGY</B><BR>
<I>(Full Title of the Plan)</I>



<P><DIV style="position: relative; float: left; margin-right: 1%; width: 48%">

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>RICHARD C. KELLY</B><BR>
President and Chief Operating Officer<BR>
Xcel Energy Inc.<BR>
800 Nicollet Mall<BR>
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402<BR>
(612)&nbsp;330-5500


</DIV>

<DIV style="position: relative; float: right; margin-left: 1%; width: 48%">

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>BENJAMIN G.S. FOWKE III</B><BR>
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer<BR>
Xcel Energy Inc.<BR>
800 Nicollet Mall<BR>
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402<BR>
(612)&nbsp;330-5500


</DIV>
<BR clear="all"><BR>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><I>(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)</I>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><I>Copy to:</I><BR>
<B>ROBERT J. JOSEPH<BR>
Jones Day<BR>
77 West Wacker Drive<BR>
Chicago, Illinois 60601<BR>
(312)&nbsp;269-4176</B>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">

<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="75%">

<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&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 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>&nbsp;</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Title of Each Class of</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount To</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Aggregate</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="left"><B>Securities To Be Registered</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Be Registered (1)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Per Unit (2)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registration Fee</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>


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<TR valign="bottom" style="background: #eeeeee">
    <TD nowrap><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px">Common Stock
(par<BR>value $2.50 per share)</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">750,000</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">15.905</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$11,928,750</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$1,512</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px">Rights to Purchase Common Stock (par
value $2.50 per share)(3)</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


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</DIV>




<P>

<HR size="1" width="18%" align="left" noshade>


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

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount
of additional securities in order to adjust the number of securities
reserved for issuance pursuant to the plan as a result of a stock split,
stock dividend or similar transaction affecting Common Stock.</TD>
</TR>

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

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">This amount is an estimate made solely for the purpose of calculating the
registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and is based on the average of the high and low prices of
Xcel Energy Inc.&#146;s Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on May&nbsp;19,
2004.</TD>
</TR>

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

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">One right to purchase Xcel Energy Inc. Common Stock automatically trades
with each share of Xcel Energy Inc. Common Stock.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<P>

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


</TABLE>

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

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</TABLE>


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

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<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
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	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#008">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c85685exv4w2.htm">By-laws of the Registrant</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c85685exv5w1.htm">Opinion of Counsel</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c85685exv23w1.htm">Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c85685exv23w2.htm">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c85685exv24w1.htm">Power of Attorney</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

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


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS</B>


<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

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


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the &#147;SEC&#148;) are incorporated herein by reference:


<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="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Registrant&#146;s 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="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
March&nbsp;31, 2004;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Registrant&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January&nbsp;14,
2004, January&nbsp;28, 2004, January&nbsp;28, 2004, February&nbsp;11, 2004, March&nbsp;1,
2004, March&nbsp;24, 2004, April&nbsp;28, 2004 and May&nbsp;14, 2004;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(4)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock contained in
its Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March&nbsp;13, 2002; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(5)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Registrant&#146;s Rights to Purchase Common
Stock contained in its Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January&nbsp;4,
2001.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant and the Plan pursuant
to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be
incorporated herein by reference and to be part hereof from the date of filing
of such documents.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

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


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Common Stock and its Rights to Purchase Common Stock are
registered under Section&nbsp;12 of the Exchange Act.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

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


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statements schedules
incorporated in this registration statement by reference from our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2003 have been audited by Deloitte
&#038; Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report dated February
27, 2004, (which expresses an unqualified opinion based on their audits and as
it relates to 2002 and 2001, the report of other auditors, and includes
emphasis of a matter paragraphs relating to the adoption of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)&nbsp;No.&nbsp;142, <I>Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets</I>, and SFAS No.&nbsp;144, <I>Accounting for the Impairment of Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets</I>, effective January&nbsp;1, 2002, SFAS No.&nbsp;143, <I>Accounting for
Asset Retirement Obligations</I>, effective January&nbsp;1, 2003, and Derivatives
Implementation Group Issue No.&nbsp;C20, <I>Scope Exceptions: Interpretation of the
Meaning of Not Clearly and Closely Related in </I><I>Paragraph 10(b)</I><I> Regarding
Contracts with a Price Adjustment Feature</I>, effective October&nbsp;1, 2003) which is
incorporated herein by reference, and has been so incorporated in reliance upon
the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

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


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;302A.521 of the Minnesota Statutes permits indemnification of
officers and directors of domestic or foreign corporations under certain
circumstances and subject to certain limitations. Pursuant to authorization
contained in the Restated


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-1
</DIV>

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<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">Articles of Incorporation, as amended, Article&nbsp;4 of our Bylaws contains
provisions for indemnification of our directors and officers consistent with
the provisions of Section&nbsp;302A.521 of the Minnesota Statutes. Our Restated
Articles of Incorporation also contain provisions limiting the liability of our
company&#146;s directors in certain instances. We have obtained insurance policies
indemnifying our company and our company&#146;s directors and officers against
certain civil liabilities and related expenses.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

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


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

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

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

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

<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="93%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->

<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;4.01 to the Registrant&#146;s Form&nbsp;8-K (File No.&nbsp;1-0304) filed on
August&nbsp;21, 2000).</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By-laws of the Registrant.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Stock Equivalent Plan for Non-Employee Directors of Xcel Energy
(incorporated by reference to Appendix&nbsp;B to Registrant&#146;s Proxy
Statement (File No.&nbsp;1-0304) filed on April&nbsp;9, 2004).</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement dated December&nbsp;13, 2000,
between Xcel Energy Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as
Rights Agent. (Exhibit&nbsp;1 to Form&nbsp;8-K (File no. 001-03034) dated Jan.
4, 2001).</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Counsel regarding legality of shares.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Independent Auditors&#146; Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Independent Accountants&#146; Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1).</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney.</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">Incorporated by reference.</TD>
</TR>


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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

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


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


<P align="left" style="margin-left:6%; font-size: 10pt">(1)&nbsp;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="margin-left:9%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act of 1933;



<P align="left" style="margin-left:9%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(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. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which
was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
&#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration
statement;



<P align="left" style="margin-left:9%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(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.



<P align="left" style="margin-left:6%; font-size: 10pt"><I>Provided, however, </I>that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not
apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form
F-3, and 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 Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.


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

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<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="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">(2)&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, 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="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">(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>

<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">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>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 Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) 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.</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">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 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 Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 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 of whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


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

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<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="008"></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 this registration statement 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 Denver, and State
of Colorado, on the 20th day of May, 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="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="46%">&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">XCEL ENERGY INC.</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>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Benjamin G.S. Fowke III</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <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"><HR size="1" noshade>&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">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Benjamin G.S. Fowke III</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="center" valign="top">Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer</TD>
</TR>


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



<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 on the date listed above by the
following persons in the capacities indicated.

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

<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="41%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&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 valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Wayne H. Brunetti</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Chairman of the Board,<BR>
Chief Executive Officer and Director<BR>
<I>(Principal Executive Officer)</I></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Teresa S. Madden</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Vice President and Controller<BR>
<I>(Principal Accounting Officer)</I></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Benjamin G.S. Fowke III<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Benjamin G.S. Fowke III</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer<BR>
and Treasurer<BR>
<I>(Principal Financial Officer)</I></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Richard C. Kelly</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
President, Chief Operating Officer<BR>
and Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
C. Coney Burgess</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
David A. Christensen</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Roger R. Hemminghaus</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
A. Barry Hirschfeld</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Douglas W. Leatherdale</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Albert F. Moreno</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Margaret R. Preska</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
A. Patricia Sampson</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>


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



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

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<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="41%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&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 valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Ralph R. Peterson</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Richard H. Anderson</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
W. Thomas Stephens</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">* /s/ Benjamin G.S. Fowke III<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Benjamin G.S. Fowke III</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Attorney-in-Fact</TD>
</TR>


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



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-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">
<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></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="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->

<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;4.01 to the Registrant&#146;s Form&nbsp;8-K (File No.&nbsp;1-0304) filed on
August&nbsp;21, 2000).</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">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By-laws of the Registrant.</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">4.3*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Stock Equivalent Plan for Non-Employee Directors of Xcel Energy
(incorporated by reference to Appendix&nbsp;B to Registrant&#146;s Proxy
Statement (File No.&nbsp;1-0304) filed on April&nbsp;9, 2004).</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">4.4*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement dated December&nbsp;13, 2000,
between Xcel Energy Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as
Rights Agent. (Exhibit&nbsp;1 to Form&nbsp;8-K (File no. 001-03034) dated Jan.
4, 2001).</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">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Counsel regarding legality of shares.</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">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Independent Auditors&#146; Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP.</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">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Independent Accountants&#146; Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</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">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1).</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">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney.</TD>
</TR>


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




<P>

<HR size="1" width="18%" align="left" noshade>


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

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">*</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">Incorporated by reference.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>




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


</BODY>
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sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 21, 2004
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Xcel Energy Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
MINNESOTA
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
41-0448030
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
800 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
(612) 330-5500
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)
STOCK EQUIVALENT PLAN FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS OF XCEL ENERGY
(Full Title of the Plan)
RICHARD C. KELLY
President and Chief Operating Officer
Xcel Energy Inc.
800 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
(612) 330-5500
BENJAMIN G.S. FOWKE III
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Xcel Energy Inc.
800 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
(612) 330-5500
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
ROBERT J. JOSEPH
Jones Day
77 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 269-4176
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Title of Each Class of
Amount To
Offering Price
Aggregate
Amount of
Securities To Be Registered
Be Registered (1)
Per Unit (2)
Offering Price
Registration Fee
Common Stock
(par
value $2.50 per share)
750,000
15.905
$11,928,750
$1,512
Rights to Purchase Common Stock (par
value $2.50 per share)(3)
(1)
In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount
of additional securities in order to adjust the number of securities
reserved for issuance pursuant to the plan as a result of a stock split,
stock dividend or similar transaction affecting Common Stock.
(2)
This amount is an estimate made solely for the purpose of calculating the
registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and is based on the average of the high and low prices of
Xcel Energy Inc.'s Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on May 19,
2004.
(3)
One right to purchase Xcel Energy Inc. Common Stock automatically trades
with each share of Xcel Energy Inc. Common Stock.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
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
By-laws of the Registrant
Opinion of Counsel
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Power of Attorney
Table of Contents
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
The following documents as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") are incorporated herein by reference:
(1)
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2003;
(2)
Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
March 31, 2004;
(3)
Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 14,
2004, January 28, 2004, January 28, 2004, February 11, 2004, March 1,
2004, March 24, 2004, April 28, 2004 and May 14, 2004;
(4)
The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in
its Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 13, 2002; and
(5)
The description of the Registrant's Rights to Purchase Common
Stock contained in its Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 4,
2001.
All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant and the Plan pursuant
to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act"), prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be
incorporated herein by reference and to be part hereof from the date of filing
of such documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities
The Registrant's Common Stock and its Rights to Purchase Common Stock are
registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statements schedules
incorporated in this registration statement by reference from our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 have been audited by Deloitte
& Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report dated February
27, 2004, (which expresses an unqualified opinion based on their audits and as
it relates to 2002 and 2001, the report of other auditors, and includes
emphasis of a matter paragraphs relating to the adoption of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142,
Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets
, and SFAS No. 144,
Accounting for the Impairment of Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets
, effective January 1, 2002, SFAS No. 143,
Accounting for
Asset Retirement Obligations
, effective January 1, 2003, and Derivatives
Implementation Group Issue No. C20,
Scope Exceptions: Interpretation of the
Meaning of Not Clearly and Closely Related in
Paragraph 10(b)
Regarding
Contracts with a Price Adjustment Feature
, effective October 1, 2003) which is
incorporated herein by reference, and has been so incorporated in reliance upon
the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 302A.521 of the Minnesota Statutes permits indemnification of
officers and directors of domestic or foreign corporations under certain
circumstances and subject to certain limitations. Pursuant to authorization
contained in the Restated
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Articles of Incorporation, as amended, Article 4 of our Bylaws contains
provisions for indemnification of our directors and officers consistent with
the provisions of Section 302A.521 of the Minnesota Statutes. Our Restated
Articles of Incorporation also contain provisions limiting the liability of our
company's directors in certain instances. We have obtained insurance policies
indemnifying our company and our company's directors and officers against
certain civil liabilities and related expenses.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits
4.1*
Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant's Form 8-K (File No. 1-0304) filed on
August 21, 2000).
4.2
By-laws of the Registrant.
4.3*
Stock Equivalent Plan for Non-Employee Directors of Xcel Energy
(incorporated by reference to Appendix B to Registrant's Proxy
Statement (File No. 1-0304) filed on April 9, 2004).
4.4*
Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement dated December 13, 2000,
between Xcel Energy Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as
Rights Agent. (Exhibit 1 to Form 8-K (File no. 001-03034) dated Jan.
4, 2001).
5.1
Opinion of Counsel regarding legality of shares.
23.1
Independent Auditors' Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.2
Independent Accountants' Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.3
Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
Power of Attorney.
*
Incorporated by reference.
Item 9. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(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 of 1933;
(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. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which
was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective 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.
Provided, however,
that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not
apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form
F-3, and 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 Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
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(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, 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 Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) 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 of 1933 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 Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 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 of whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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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 this registration statement 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 Denver, and State
of Colorado, on the 20th day of May, 2004.
XCEL ENERGY INC.
By:
/s/ Benjamin G.S. Fowke III
Benjamin G.S. Fowke III
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed on the date listed above by the
following persons in the capacities indicated.
Signature
Title
*
Wayne H. Brunetti
Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
*
Teresa S. Madden
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Benjamin G.S. Fowke III
Benjamin G.S. Fowke III
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
*
Richard C. Kelly
President, Chief Operating Officer
and Director
*
C. Coney Burgess
Director
*
David A. Christensen
Director
*
Roger R. Hemminghaus
Director
*
A. Barry Hirschfeld
Director
*
Douglas W. Leatherdale
Director
*
Albert F. Moreno
Director
*
Margaret R. Preska
Director
*
A. Patricia Sampson
Director
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Signature
Title
*
Ralph R. Peterson
Director
Richard H. Anderson
Director
*
W. Thomas Stephens
Director
* /s/ Benjamin G.S. Fowke III
Benjamin G.S. Fowke III
Attorney-in-Fact
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EXHIBIT INDEX
4.1*
Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant's Form 8-K (File No. 1-0304) filed on
August 21, 2000).
4.2
By-laws of the Registrant.
4.3*
Stock Equivalent Plan for Non-Employee Directors of Xcel Energy
(incorporated by reference to Appendix B to Registrant's Proxy
Statement (File No. 1-0304) filed on April 9, 2004).
4.4*
Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement dated December 13, 2000,
between Xcel Energy Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as
Rights Agent. (Exhibit 1 to Form 8-K (File no. 001-03034) dated Jan.
4, 2001).
5.1
Opinion of Counsel regarding legality of shares.
23.1
Independent Auditors' Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.2
Independent Accountants' Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.3
Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
Power of Attorney.
*
Incorporated by reference.
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