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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Washington, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM S-8<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> <IMG SRC="g262256.jpg" ALT="LOGO" WIDTH="271" HEIGHT="55">  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=4><B>XCEL ENERGY INC.<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>MINNESOTA<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>41-0448030<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(IRS Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B>800 Nicollet Mall<BR>
Suite 3000<BR>
Minneapolis, Minnesota<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Address of principal executive offices)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B>55402-2023</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(Zip Code)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXECUTIVE ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Full title of the Plan) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Gary R. Johnson<BR>
Vice President and General Counsel<BR>
Xcel Energy&nbsp;Inc.<BR>
800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 3000<BR>
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-2023<BR>
(612)&nbsp;330-5500<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,<BR>
including area code, of agent for service) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Copy of all communications to:<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B> Robert J. Joseph, Esq.<BR>
Gardner, Carton&nbsp;&amp; Douglas<BR>
321 North Clark Street<BR>
Chicago, Illinois 60610<BR>
(312)&nbsp;644-3000  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="36%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of<BR>
Securities<BR>
To be<BR>
Registered</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount<BR>
To be<BR>
Registered (1)</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed<BR>
Maximum<BR>
Offering<BR>
Price<BR>
Per Share (2)</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed<BR>
Maximum<BR>
Aggregate<BR>
Offering<BR>
Price</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of<BR>
Registration Fee</B></FONT><BR></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="36%"><FONT SIZE=2>Common Stock, $2.50 par value</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>1,500,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$25.34</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$38,010,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$9,502.50</FONT></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>In
addition, pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416(c) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, 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 the common stock.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Estimated
solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(h), on the basis of the average of the high and low sales prices of Xcel
Energy&nbsp;Inc. Common Stock on January&nbsp;19, 2001. </FONT></DD></DL>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B> ITEM 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents filed by Xcel Energy&nbsp;Inc. ("Xcel" or "Registrant") or New Century Energies,&nbsp;Inc. ("NCE"), which merged with and into
Northern States Power Company ("NSP") on August&nbsp;18, 2000 to form Xcel, with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof: </FONT></P>

<UL>
<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(a)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>NSP's
Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 1999;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(b)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>NSP's
Quarterly Reports on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarters ended March&nbsp;31, 2000 and June&nbsp;30, 2000;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(c)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Xcel's
Current Reports on Form&nbsp;8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January&nbsp;13, 2000, February&nbsp;23, 2000, March&nbsp;3, 2000,
March&nbsp;29, 2000, May&nbsp;26, 2000, August&nbsp;21, 2000, October&nbsp;25, 2000, October&nbsp;27, 2000, November&nbsp;28, 2000, December&nbsp;18, 2000 and January&nbsp;4, 2001;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(d)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Xcel's
Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended September&nbsp;30, 2000;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(e)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>NCE's
Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 1999, as amended;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(f)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>NCE's
Quarterly Reports on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarters ended March&nbsp;31, 2000 and June&nbsp;30, 2000; and
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(g)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>NCE's
Current Reports on Form&nbsp;8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April&nbsp;19, 2000, June&nbsp;1, 2000 and July&nbsp;24, 2000. </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
addition, each document filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended after the date hereof, and prior to
the termination of the offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not Applicable. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;INTEREST OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The supplemental consolidated financial statements of Xcel Energy&nbsp;Inc. as of December&nbsp;31, 1999, included in the Company's Current Report on
Form&nbsp;8-K dated August&nbsp;21, 2000, and the consolidated financial statements and schedule of NCE as of December&nbsp;31, 1999, included in NCE's Form&nbsp;10-K
for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 1999, incorporated by reference in this registration statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
reports with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With
respect to the unaudited consolidated condensed interim financial information for the quarters ended March&nbsp;31, 2000 and June&nbsp;30, 2000 for NCE and with respect to
the unaudited consolidated condensed interim financial information for the quarter ended September&nbsp;30, 2000 for Xcel, Arthur Andersen LLP has applied limited procedures in accordance with
professional standards for a review of that information. However, their separate reports thereon state that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that interim financial information.
Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on that information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. In addition, the accountants are not
subject to the liability provisions of Section&nbsp;11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their report on the unaudited consolidated condensed interim financial information because that report is not
a "report" or a "part" of the registration statement prepared or certified by the accountants within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The consolidated financial statements of Northern States Power Company as of December&nbsp;31, 1999 and 1998 and for each of the three years in the period ended December&nbsp;31,
1999 incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference to Northern States Power Company's Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 1999, have been so
incorporated in reliance upon the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
legality of the shares of the common stock of Xcel Energy&nbsp;Inc. ("Xcel") to be issued in connection with the Executive Annual Incentive Aware Plan is being passed upon for
Xcel by Gary R. Johnson, Vice President and General Counsel of Xcel. At December&nbsp;31, 2000, Mr.&nbsp;Johnson was the beneficial owner of 140,172 shares of Xcel common stock. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;302.A.521 of 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 Articles of Incorporation, as amended, Article&nbsp;4 of the Bylaws of the Registrant contains
provisions for indemnification of its directors and officers consistent with the provisions of Section&nbsp;302A.521 of the Statutes. The Registrant's Restated Articles of Incorporation also contain
provisions limiting the liability of the Registrant's directors in certain instances. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Registrant has obtained insurance policies indemnifying the Registrant and the Registrant's directors and officers against certain civil liabilities and related expenses. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not Applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;EXHIBITS  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="92%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT><BR></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2>4.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"><FONT SIZE=2>Executive Annual Incentive Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;B to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement (file no.&nbsp;1-3034) filed August&nbsp;29, 2000).</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2>4.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"><FONT SIZE=2>Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.01 to the Registrant's Form&nbsp;8-K (file no.&nbsp;1-3034) filed August&nbsp;21, 2000).</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2>4.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"><FONT SIZE=2>By-Laws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.3 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (file no.&nbsp;333-48590) filed October&nbsp;25, 2000).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Counsel regarding legality of securities.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2>15.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"><FONT SIZE=2>Letter on Unaudited Financial Information.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2>23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Independent Public Accountants.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2>23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Independent Accountants.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2>23.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5).</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="6%"><FONT SIZE=2>24</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"><FONT SIZE=2>Power of attorney.</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;UNDERTAKINGS  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>A.&nbsp;Updating
Disclosure </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: </FONT></P>

<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>To
file, during any period in which offers of sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
<BR><BR></FONT>
<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(i)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>To
include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(ii)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>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, </FONT></DD></DL>
</DD></DL>
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<UL>
<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>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&nbsp;424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; </FONT></P>

</UL>
<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(iii)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>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; </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>Provided,
however, that paragraphs (1)(i)&nbsp;and (1)(ii)&nbsp;do not apply if the registration statement is on Form&nbsp;S-3, Form&nbsp;S-8 or
Form&nbsp;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 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement. </FONT></P>

<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=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.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(3)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>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. </FONT></DD></DL>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>B.&nbsp;Subsequent
Exchange Act Documents. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant
to Section&nbsp;13(a) or 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. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>C.&nbsp;Indemnification.
</FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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
of 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
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<A NAME="toc_jc1271_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>SIGNATURES    <BR></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>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&nbsp;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. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2>XCEL ENERGY, INC.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="48%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="46%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>E.J. MCINTYRE</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> E.J. McIntyre<BR>
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Date:
January&nbsp;26, 2001 </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
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<A NAME="toc_je1271_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>SIGNATURE    <BR></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="25%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT><BR></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>JAMES J. HOWARD*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> James J. Howard,<BR>
Chairman of the Board and Director<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>WAYNE H. BRUNETTI*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Wayne H. Brunetti,<BR>
President, Chief Executive Officer<BR>
and Director<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>E.J. MCINTYRE</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> E.J. McIntyre,<BR>
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>DAVID E. RIPKA*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> David E. Ripka,<BR>
Controller<BR>
(Chief Accounting Officer)<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>CONEY BURGESS*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> C. Coney Burgess,<BR>
Director<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>DAVID A. CHRISTENSEN*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> David A. Christensen,<BR>
Director<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>GIANNANTONIO FERRARI*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Giannantonio Ferrari,<BR>
Director<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>ROGER R. HEMMINGHAUS*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Roger R. Hemminghaus,<BR>
Director<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>A. BARRY HIRSCHFELD*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> A. Barry Hirschfeld,<BR>
Director<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>DOUGLAS W. LEATHERDALE*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Douglas W. Leatherdale,<BR>
Director<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>ALBERT F. MORENO*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Albert F. Moreno,<BR>
Director<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>MARGARET R. PRESKA*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Margaret R. Preska,<BR>
Director<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>A. PATRICIA SAMPSON*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> A. Patricia Sampson,<BR>
Director<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>ALLAN L. SCHUMAN*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Allan L. Schuman,<BR>
Director<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>RODNEY E. SLIFER*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Rodney E. Slifer,<BR>
Director<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>W. THOMAS STEPHENS*</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> W. Thomas Stephens,<BR>
Director<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="25%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT><BR></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>*By: /s/ Cathy J. Hart</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><HR NOSHADE></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Cathy J. Hart,<BR>
(Attorney-in-Fact)<BR>
January&nbsp;26, 2001</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ka1271_exhibit_index"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ka1271_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT INDEX    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="84%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="5%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT><BR></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="84%"><FONT SIZE=2>Executive Annual Incentive Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;B to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement (file no.&nbsp;1-3034) filed August&nbsp;29, 2000).</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="84%"><FONT SIZE=2>Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.01 to the Registrant's Form&nbsp;8-K (file no.&nbsp;1-3034) filed August&nbsp;21, 2000).</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="84%"><FONT SIZE=2>By-Laws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.3 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (file no.&nbsp;333-48590) filed October&nbsp;25, 2000).</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="84%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Counsel regarding legality of securities.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>15.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="84%"><FONT SIZE=2>Letter on Unaudited Financial Information.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="84%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Independent Public Accountants.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="84%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Independent Accountants.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>23.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="84%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5).</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="6%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>24</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="84%"><FONT SIZE=2>Power of attorney.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<BR>
<P><br><A NAME="01CHI1271_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ja1271_1">PART II</A></FONT><BR>
<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1271_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_je1271_1">SIGNATURE</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ka1271_1">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></FONT><BR>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a2036308zs-8.htm", "description": "S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 36694}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "XCEL ENERGY INC", "cik": "0000072903", "assigned-sic": "4931", "irs-number": "410448030", "state-of-incorporation": "MN", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-54460", "film-number": "1516769"}, "business-address": {"street1": "800 NICOLLET MALL", "city": "MINNEAPOLIS", "state": "MN", "zip": "55402", "phone": "6123305500"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "800 NICOLLET MALL", "city": "MINNEAPOLIS", "state": "MN", "zip": "55401"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "NORTHERN STATES POWER CO /MN/", "date-changed": "19920703"}}
Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION www.edgaradvantage.com
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UNITED STATES
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
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
800 Nicollet Mall
Suite 3000
Minneapolis, Minnesota
(Address of principal executive offices)
55402-2023
(Zip Code)
EXECUTIVE ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
(Full title of the Plan)
Gary R. Johnson
Vice President and General Counsel
Xcel Energy Inc.
800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 3000
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-2023
(612) 330-5500
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copy of all communications to:
Robert J. Joseph, Esq.
Gardner, Carton & Douglas
321 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
(312) 644-3000
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of
Securities
To be
Registered
Amount
To be
Registered (1)
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price
Per Share (2)
Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common Stock, $2.50 par value
1,500,000
$25.34
$38,010,000
$9,502.50
(1)
In
addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, 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 the common stock.
(2)
Estimated
solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, pursuant to Rule 457(h), on the basis of the average of the high and low sales prices of Xcel
Energy Inc. Common Stock on January 19, 2001.
PART II
ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by Xcel Energy Inc. ("Xcel" or "Registrant") or New Century Energies, Inc. ("NCE"), which merged with and into
Northern States Power Company ("NSP") on August 18, 2000 to form Xcel, with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof:
(a)
NSP's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999;
(b)
NSP's
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2000 and June 30, 2000;
(c)
Xcel's
Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2000, February 23, 2000, March 3, 2000,
March 29, 2000, May 26, 2000, August 21, 2000, October 25, 2000, October 27, 2000, November 28, 2000, December 18, 2000 and January 4, 2001;
(d)
Xcel's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000;
(e)
NCE's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, as amended;
(f)
NCE's
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2000 and June 30, 2000; and
(g)
NCE's
Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 2000, June 1, 2000 and July 24, 2000.
In
addition, each document filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended after the date hereof, and prior to
the termination of the offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Not Applicable.
ITEM 5.  INTEREST OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
The supplemental consolidated financial statements of Xcel Energy Inc. as of December 31, 1999, included in the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K dated August 21, 2000, and the consolidated financial statements and schedule of NCE as of December 31, 1999, included in NCE's Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1999, incorporated by reference in this registration statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
reports with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.
With
respect to the unaudited consolidated condensed interim financial information for the quarters ended March 31, 2000 and June 30, 2000 for NCE and with respect to
the unaudited consolidated condensed interim financial information for the quarter ended September 30, 2000 for Xcel, Arthur Andersen LLP has applied limited procedures in accordance with
professional standards for a review of that information. However, their separate reports thereon state that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that interim financial information.
Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on that information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. In addition, the accountants are not
subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their report on the unaudited consolidated condensed interim financial information because that report is not
a "report" or a "part" of the registration statement prepared or certified by the accountants within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
The consolidated financial statements of Northern States Power Company as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1999 incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference to Northern States Power Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, have been so
incorporated in reliance upon the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The
legality of the shares of the common stock of Xcel Energy Inc. ("Xcel") to be issued in connection with the Executive Annual Incentive Aware Plan is being passed upon for
Xcel by Gary R. Johnson, Vice President and General Counsel of Xcel. At December 31, 2000, Mr. Johnson was the beneficial owner of 140,172 shares of Xcel common stock.
ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 302.A.521 of 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 Articles of Incorporation, as amended, Article 4 of the Bylaws of the Registrant contains
provisions for indemnification of its directors and officers consistent with the provisions of Section 302A.521 of the Statutes. The Registrant's Restated Articles of Incorporation also contain
provisions limiting the liability of the Registrant's directors in certain instances.
The
Registrant has obtained insurance policies indemnifying the Registrant and the Registrant's directors and officers against certain civil liabilities and related expenses.
ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED
Not Applicable.
ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS
4.1
Executive Annual Incentive Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement (file no. 1-3034) filed August 29, 2000).
4.2
Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant's Form 8-K (file no. 1-3034) filed August 21, 2000).
4.3
By-Laws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (file no. 333-48590) filed October 25, 2000).
5
Opinion of Counsel regarding legality of securities.
15.1
Letter on Unaudited Financial Information.
23.1
Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
23.2
Consent of Independent Accountants.
23.3
Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5).
24
Power of attorney.
ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS
A. Updating
Disclosure
The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To
file, during any period in which offers of 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 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 (1)(i) and (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 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(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. Subsequent
Exchange Act Documents.
The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or 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. Indemnification.
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
of 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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.
XCEL ENERGY, INC.
By:
/s/
E.J. MCINTYRE
E.J. McIntyre
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date:
January 26, 2001
Pursuant
to the requirements of Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE
JAMES J. HOWARD*
James J. Howard,
Chairman of the Board and Director
January 26, 2001
WAYNE H. BRUNETTI*
Wayne H. Brunetti,
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
January 26, 2001
/s/
E.J. MCINTYRE
E.J. McIntyre,
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
January 26, 2001
DAVID E. RIPKA*
David E. Ripka,
Controller
(Chief Accounting Officer)
January 26, 2001
CONEY BURGESS*
C. Coney Burgess,
Director
January 26, 2001
DAVID A. CHRISTENSEN*
David A. Christensen,
Director
January 26, 2001
GIANNANTONIO FERRARI*
Giannantonio Ferrari,
Director
January 26, 2001
ROGER R. HEMMINGHAUS*
Roger R. Hemminghaus,
Director
January 26, 2001
A. BARRY HIRSCHFELD*
A. Barry Hirschfeld,
Director
January 26, 2001
DOUGLAS W. LEATHERDALE*
Douglas W. Leatherdale,
Director
January 26, 2001
ALBERT F. MORENO*
Albert F. Moreno,
Director
January 26, 2001
MARGARET R. PRESKA*
Margaret R. Preska,
Director
January 26, 2001
A. PATRICIA SAMPSON*
A. Patricia Sampson,
Director
January 26, 2001
ALLAN L. SCHUMAN*
Allan L. Schuman,
Director
January 26, 2001
RODNEY E. SLIFER*
Rodney E. Slifer,
Director
January 26, 2001
W. THOMAS STEPHENS*
W. Thomas Stephens,
Director
January 26, 2001
*By: /s/ Cathy J. Hart
Cathy J. Hart,
(Attorney-in-Fact)
January 26, 2001
EXHIBIT INDEX
4.1
Executive Annual Incentive Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement (file no. 1-3034) filed August 29, 2000).
4.2
Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant's Form 8-K (file no. 1-3034) filed August 21, 2000).
4.3
By-Laws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (file no. 333-48590) filed October 25, 2000).
5
Opinion of Counsel regarding legality of securities.
15.1
Letter on Unaudited Financial Information.
23.1
Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
23.2
Consent of Independent Accountants.
23.3
Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5).
24
Power of attorney.
QuickLinks
PART II
SIGNATURES
SIGNATURE
EXHIBIT INDEX