Investor Relations Earnings Release

Xcel Energy Inc. (NYSE: XEL):

• GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings were $646 million, or $1.46 per diluted share in 2008, compared with $577 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, in 2007.
• Ongoing diluted earnings per share were $1.45 in 2008, compared with $1.43 per share in 2007.
• 2008 ongoing earnings of $1.45 were within Xcel Energy’s stated guidance range of $1.45 to $1.50 per share.
• Xcel Energy reaffirms its 2009 earnings guidance of $1.45 to $1.55 per diluted share.

Xcel Energy Inc. (NYSE: XEL) today reported 2008 GAAP earnings of $646 million, or $1.46 per share, compared with $577 million, or $1.35 per share, in 2007. Ongoing earnings, adjusted for certain non-recurring items, were $1.45 per share in 2008, compared with $1.43 per share in 2007.

Ongoing earnings for 2008 were slightly higher than last year primarily due to higher electric and natural gas margins, reflecting various increases in base rates and rider recovery and AFUDC-equity earnings. The impact of electric and natural gas margins was partially offset by the negative impact of weather when comparing the periods. Partially offsetting these positive factors were higher depreciation, interest expense and dilution.

GAAP earnings for 2008 earnings were higher than last year, primarily due to a 2007 charge associated with the resolution of a corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) dispute with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

"Overall, 2008 was a challenging year due to the global financial crisis and economic downturn. However, we successfully managed through the credit and liquidity crisis by issuing over $2 billion of debt and equity prior to the market collapse. As a result, we believe we are well positioned to implement our strategy of investing in our utility business. In addition, while our ongoing earnings were lower than we originally anticipated, we were pleased to deliver results within our 2008 guidance range,” said Richard C. Kelly, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "At this time, we are reaffirming our 2009 earnings guidance of $1.45 to $1.55 per diluted share.”

Earnings Adjusted for Certain Non-recurring Items (Ongoing Earnings - Note 7)

During 2007, Xcel Energy resolved a dispute with the IRS regarding its COLI program. Excluding the impact of the COLI program, Xcel Energy’s ongoing 2008 earnings were $641 million, or $1.45 per share, compared with 2007 ongoing earnings of $612 million or $1.43 per share. The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP earnings per share to ongoing earnings per share for 2008 and 2007:

At 10 a.m. CST today, Xcel Energy will host a conference call to review financial results. To participate in the call, please dial in five to 10 minutes prior to the start and follow the operator’s instructions.

The conference call also will be simultaneously broadcast and archived on Xcel Energy’s Web site at www.xcelenergy.com. To access the presentation, click on Investor Information. If you are unable to participate in the live event, the call will be available for replay from 1 p.m. CST on January 29 through 11:59 p.m. CST on January 31.

Replay Numbers

Except for the historical statements contained in this release, the matters discussed herein, including our 2009 full year EPS guidance and assumptions, are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements are intended to be identified in this document by the words "anticipate,” "believe,” "estimate,” "expect,” "intend,” "may,” "objective,” "outlook,” "plan,” "project,” "possible,” "potential,” "should” and similar expressions. Actual results may vary materially. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect changes that occur after that date. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions, including the availability of credit and its impact on capital expenditures and the ability of Xcel Energy and its subsidiaries to obtain financing on favorable terms; business conditions in the energy industry; actions of credit rating agencies; competitive factors, including the extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets served by Xcel Energy and its subsidiaries; unusual weather; effects of geopolitical events, including war and acts of terrorism; state, federal and foreign legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost and investment recovery, have an impact on rates or have an impact on asset operation or ownership; structures that affect the speed and degree to which competition enters the electric and natural gas markets; costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; actions of accounting regulatory bodies; and the other risk factors listed from time to time by Xcel Energy in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including Risk Factors in Item 1A and Exhibit 99.01 of Xcel Energy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007.

This information is not given in connection with any sale, offer for sale or offer to buy any security.

The following table summarizes significant components contributing to the changes in the three- and twelve- month periods ended Dec. 31, 2008 diluted earnings per share, compared with the same periods in 2007, which are discussed in more detail later in this release.

Note 2. Regulated Utility Results — Continuing Operations

Estimated Impact of Temperature Changes on Earnings — The following table summarizes the estimated impact of temperature variations on results, compared with sales under normal weather conditions.

Sales Growth — The following table summarizes Xcel Energy’s regulated sales growth for actual and weather-normalized energy sales for the three- and twelve-month periods ended Dec. 31, 2008, compared with the same periods in 2007. The year-end sales growth amounts for 2008 have been adjusted for leap year.

During 2008, we experienced flat electric residential sales, primarily driven by a decline in the NSP-Minnesota region. We believe the flat sales growth is a reflection of a recent shift in customer behavior, in part, attributable to the overall economic conditions as well as conservation efforts.

Electric — The following tables detail the electric revenues and margin:

The following table summarizes the components of the changes in electric margin for the three-and twelve-months ended Dec. 31, 2008:

Natural Gas — The following table details the changes in natural gas revenues and margin. The cost of natural gas tends to vary with changing sales requirements and the unit cost of natural gas purchases. However, due to purchased natural gas cost recovery mechanisms for sales to retail customers, fluctuations in the cost of natural gas have little effect on natural gas margin.

The following table summarizes the components of the changes in natural gas margin for the three-and twelve-months ended Dec. 31, 2008:

Other Operating and Maintenance Expenses — Other operating and maintenance expenses for the fourth quarter of 2008 decreased by $50 million, or 10.2 percent as compared with the same period in 2007. Other operating and maintenance expenses for 2008 decreased by $11 million, or 0.6 percent, compared with 2007. The following table summarizes the components of the changes in other operating and maintenance expenses for the three- and twelve- months ended Dec. 31, 2008:

The following provides an explanation of the year-to-date change in certain items listed in the table above for 2008 as compared to 2007:

• The decline in nuclear outage expenses is due to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC), North Dakota Public Service Commission (NDPSC) and South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (SDPUC) approving the change in recovery methods for costs associated with refueling outages at our nuclear plants from the direct expense method to the deferral and amortization method, effective Jan. 1, 2008. An accrual was also recorded to lower revenue, reflecting a liability for a customer refund relating to this decision.
• Lower employee benefit costs are due to eliminating our annual performance based incentive plan payout for 2008.
• The higher plant generation costs were primarily attributable to scheduled and unplanned maintenance.
• The increase in labor costs was attributable to annual wage increases, the insourcing of certain functions and additional employees to support system growth.

Depreciation and Amortization — Depreciation and amortization expense increased by approximately $3.7 million, or 1.8 percent, for the fourth quarter of 2008, and increased by $22.6 million, or 2.8 percent for 2008, compared with the same periods in 2007. The increases were primarily due to planned system expansion. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in depreciation due to the MPUC approval of two NSP-Minnesota depreciation filings in September 2008 and a NDPSC settlement agreement in December 2008.

Conservation and Demand Side Management (DSM) — Conservation and DSM expense decreased approximately $0.3 million, or 1.2 percent for the fourth quarter of 2008 and increased $15.9 million, or 15.7 percent, for 2008, compared to the same periods in 2007. The higher expense for 2008 is attributable to the expansion of programs and is designed, in part, to meet regulatory commitments. Conservation and DSM program expenses are generally recovered through riders in Xcel Energy’s major jurisdictions or through general rate cases.

Interest and Other Income, net — Interest and other income increased by $7.1 million, for the fourth quarter of 2008, and $33.0 million, for 2008, compared with the same periods in 2007. The increase is primarily due to PSRI’s termination of the COLI program in 2007, which eliminated certain expenses.

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction, Equity and Debt (AFUDC) — AFUDC increased by approximately $6.0 million, or 26.6 percent, for the fourth quarter of 2008, and increased by $30.8 million, or 42.8 percent, for 2008 when compared with the same periods in 2007. The increase was due primarily to the construction of Comanche 3, which is nearing its final phase and other construction projects.

Interest charges — Interest charges increased by approximately $17.6 million, or 13.6 percent, for the fourth quarter of 2008, and increased by $32.9 million, or 6.3 percent, for 2008 when compared to the same periods in 2007. The increase was primarily the result of increased debt levels to fund our rate base growth strategy.

Income Taxes — Income taxes for continuing operations increased by $30.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with 2007. The effective tax rate for continuing operations was 34.3 percent for the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with 28.8 percent for the same period in 2007. The increase in income tax expense and the higher effective tax rate for fourth quarter 2008 as compared with 2007 was primarily due to an increase in pretax income.

Income taxes for continuing operations increased by $44.2 million for 2008, compared with 2007. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to an increase in pretax income in 2008. The effective tax rate for continuing operations was 34.4 percent for 2008, compared with 33.8 percent for 2007.

Note 3. Xcel Energy Capital Structure and Financing

Following is the preliminary capital structure of Xcel Energy at Dec. 31, 2008:

Xcel Energy generally expects to fund its operations and capital investments through internally generated funds and by periodically issuing short-term debt, long-term debt, common stock, preferred stock and hybrid securities.

During the fourth quarter of 2008, Xcel Energy issued the following securities:

• In November 2008, we issued $250 million of 8.75 percent Senior Notes, series due 2018 at Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS)

Current debt financing plans for 2009 include the following:

• Approximately $400 million of first mortgage bonds at Northern States Power Co. (NSP-Minnesota).
• Approximately $400 million of first mortgage bonds at Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo).

These financing plans are subject to change, depending on capital expenditures, internal cash generation, market conditions and other factors.

Note 4. Liquidity

Xcel Energy expects to meet future financing requirements by periodically issuing short-term debt, long-term debt, common stock, preferred securities and hybrid securities to maintain desired capitalization ratios.

Short-Term Funding Sources —Xcel Energy uses a number of sources to fulfill short-term funding needs, including operating cash flow, notes payable, commercial paper and bank lines of credit. The amount and timing of short-term funding needs depend in large part on financing needs for construction expenditures, working capital and dividend payments.

General — As a result of recent volatile conditions in global capital markets, general liquidity in short-term credit markets has been periodically constrained. Xcel Energy has maintained access to short-term liquidity through the A2/P2 commercial paper market and utilization of direct borrowing on committed credit agreements. In addition, Xcel Energy’s overall liquidity was strengthened by the issuance of long-term debt, equity and hybrid securities completed during 2008. The proceeds from these financings were used to refinance maturing debt obligations, repay short-term debt and general corporate purposes.

Pension Fund – Xcel Energy’s pension costs and funding requirements are projected to increase, as a result of the overall distressed global financial conditions and decline in valuations of both the equity and debt markets. Xcel Energy’s pension assets are invested in a diversified portfolio of domestic and international equity securities, fixed income securities, real estate and alternative investments, including private equity funds and a commodities index. With the recent decline in asset value in our pension plans, we expect to have 2009 funding requirements of $70 million to $130 million. At this time, pension funding contributions for 2010, which will be dependent on several factors including, realized asset performance, future discount rate, IRS and legislative initiatives as well as other actuarial assumptions, are estimated to range between $150 million to $250 million. For more information, please refer to the following table:

Commercial Paper — Xcel Energy, NSP-Minnesota, PSCo and SPS each have individual commercial paper programs. The authorized levels for these commercial paper programs are:

• $800 million for Xcel Energy,
• $500 million for NSP-Minnesota,
• $700 million for PSCo, and
• $250 million for SPS.

Xcel Energy and Utility Subsidiary Credit Facilities — As of Jan. 21, 2009, Xcel Energy had the following credit facilities available to meet its liquidity needs:

Credit Agency Ratings — Short-term and long-term borrowings, as a source of funding, are affected by regulatory actions, capital markets conditions and credit agency ratings. The following ratings reflect the views of Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (Moody’s), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P’s), and Fitch Ratings (Fitch). A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the rating agency. As of Jan. 20, 2009, the following table represents the credit ratings assigned to various Xcel Energy companies:

On Nov. 5, 2008, S&P increased the senior unsecured credit ratings of NSP-Minnesota, NSP-Wisconsin and PSCo by one notch.

Note 5. Rates and Regulation

Pending Rate Cases

NSP- Minnesota - Minnesota Electric Rate Case — On Nov. 2, 2008, NSP-Minnesota filed a request with the MPUC to increase electric rates in Minnesota by $156 million, or 6.05 percent. The request is based on a 2009 forecast test year, electric rate base of $4.1 billion, a requested return on equity (ROE) of 11.0 percent and an equity ratio of 52.5 percent.

In December 2008, the MPUC approved interim rates of $132 million, or 5.12 percent, effective Jan. 2, 2009. The primary difference between interim rate levels approved and our request of $156 million is due to a previously authorized ROE of 10.54 percent compared to our requested ROE of 11.0 percent.

A decision is expected in October 2009. The following schedule has been established:

• Direct testimony on April 7, 2009;
• Rebuttal on May 5, 2009;
• Surrebuttal May 26, 2009; and
• Evidentiary hearings June 2-9, 2009.

PSCo - Colorado Electric Rate Case — On Nov. 14, 2008, PSCo, filed with Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) a request to increase Colorado electric rates by approximately $174.7 million, or 7.4 percent. The rate filing is based on a 2009 forecast test year, an electric rate base of approximately $4.15 billion, a requested ROE of 11.0 percent and an equity ratio of 58.08 percent.

A final decision is expected in the summer of 2009. The following schedule has been established:

• Answer Testimony for all intervenors on Feb.13, 2009;
• Rebuttal and Cross-Answer Testimony on March 20, 2009;
• Surrebuttal testimony for all intervenors on April 10, 2009;
• Hearings are scheduled for April 20-May 1, 2009,
• Statement of Position on May 12, 2009.

SPS - Texas Electric Retail Rate Case — On June 12, 2008, SPS filed a rate case with Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), seeking an annual rate increase of approximately $61.3 million, or approximately 5.9 percent. Base revenues are proposed to increase by $94.4 million, while fuel and purchased power revenue will decline by $33.1 million, primarily due to fuel savings from the Lea Power Partners LLC (LPP) purchase power agreement.

The rate filing is based on a 2007 test-year adjusted for known and measurable changes, a requested ROE of 11.25 percent, an electric rate base of $989.4 million and an equity ratio of 51.0 percent. The interim rates of $18 million for costs associated with the LPP power purchase agreement went into effect in September 2008. The parties have been in active negotiations since November and SPS is hopeful that they will be able to reach a settlement agreement in the near future.

SPS – New Mexico Retail Electric Rate Case — On Dec. 18, 2008, SPS filed with the New Mexico commission a request to increase electric rates in New Mexico by approximately $24.6 million, or 5.1 percent. The request is based on a historic test year (split year based on year-ending June 30, 2008), an electric rate base of $321 million, an equity ratio of 50 percent and a requested ROE of 12 percent. SPS also requested interim rates to allow it to begin recovering the cost of the Lea Power facility of approximately $7.6 million. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) has set the interim rate request for hearing for March 19, 2009.

On January 12, 2009, the Staff and the Attorney General (AG) requested that the NMPRC suspend SPS’ advice notice and deny our request for interim relief. The staff stated that the standard for interim relief requires clear and convincing evidence of a financial emergency, which SPS has failed to provide. The AG stated that our testimony does not rise to the level required for the NMPRC to grant interim relief.

SPS 2008 Wholesale Rate Case — On March 31, 2008, SPS filed a wholesale electric rate case. SPS is seeking an annual revenue increase of $14.9 million or an overall 5.14 percent increase, based on 12.20 percent requested ROE. Four New Mexico Cooperatives filed a motion for dismissal and protest in April 2008.

On May 30, 2008, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) conditionally accepted and suspended the rates and established hearing and settlement procedures. The FERC granted a one-day suspension of rates instead of 180 days. The LPP plant achieved commercial operations in September 2008 and the proposed base rates, based on a 10.25 percent ROE and a 12-coincident peak demand allocator, became effective, subject to refund. A pre-hearing conference has been set for Jan. 29, 2009. A decision is pending.

Completed Rate Cases

NSP-Minnesota - North Dakota Electric Rate Case — On Dec. 7, 2007, NSP-Minnesota filed with the NDPSC, a request to increase electric rates by $20.5 million, which would be an $18.2 million impact to NSP-Minnesota due to the transfer of certain costs and revenues between base rates and the fuel cost recovery mechanism. The request is based on a common equity ratio of 51.77 percent, a ROE of 11.5 percent and a rate base of approximately $242 million. Interim rates of $17.2 million were effective on Feb. 5, 2008.

The NDPSC approved a settlement agreement on Dec. 31, 2008, which calls for a base rate increase of $12.8 million, based on an authorized ROE of 10.75 percent. Key terms of the settlement are listed below:

• Adjustments in depreciation expenses related to service life changes for generation plants and removal rates for transmission and distribution plant, resulting in a $2.5 million decrease in the revenue deficiency.
• Sharing of wholesale margins, refunding to customers 85 percent of asset-based wholesale margins and 50 percent of non-asset-based margins through the fuel clause. Test year wholesale margins to be shared with customers are estimated to be $1.9 million.
• An electric rate moratorium, under which NSP-Minnesota agreed to not implement an increase in electric rates until Jan. 1, 2011.
• Sharing of any earnings in excess of the authorized 10.75 percent ROE, providing customers 50 percent of any earnings above 10.75 percent and 75 percent of any earnings above 11.25 percent.
• The MPUC terminated the 2005 proceeding regarding recovery of MISO Day 2 market charges and approved fuel clause adjustment (FCA) recovery of all Day 2 charges through the FCA retroactively and prospectively.

Based on the final order, there is an estimated refund of interim rates of $6.3 million, expected to be completed by June 1, 2009. This refund was accrued for in 2008 and will have no impact on 2009 results. Final rates will be implemented for service on and after March 1, 2009.

NSP-Wisconsin - Electric Limited Reopener 2009 Rate Case — On Aug. 1, 2008, NSP-Wisconsin filed with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) a request to increase retail electric rates by $47.1 million. In the application, NSP-Wisconsin requested the PSCW to reopen the 2008 base rate case for the limited purpose of adjusting 2009 electric rates to reflect forecasted increases in production and transmission costs, as authorized by the PSCW. No changes were requested to the capital structure or ROE authorized by the PSCW in the 2008 base rate case.

On Dec. 30, 2008, the PSCW issued an order approving the stipulation agreement, entered into between NSP-Wisconsin and various intervenors, authorizing a $5.6 million rate increase. The original request of $47.1 million was reduced by $31.6 million due to the dramatic decline in market prices for fuel and purchased power, $5.5 million for a change in nuclear outage accounting and $4.4 million due to other adjustments.

Further, in accordance with the stipulation agreement, an estimated 2008 interim fuel surcharge refund liability of $9.8 million, previously recorded in 2008, will be offset by the $5.6 million 2009 rate increase, and the remaining liability will be refunded to customers in the first quarter of 2009, after the PSCW completes its final review of 2008 actual fuel costs.

Note 6. Xcel Energy Earnings Guidance

Xcel Energy’s 2009 earnings guidance is $1.45 to $1.55 per share. Key assumptions are detailed below:

• Normal weather patterns are experienced for the year.

• Reasonable regulatory outcomes in the Minnesota electric rate case, the Colorado electric rate case, the Texas electric rate case, the New Mexico electric rate case, the SPS FERC wholesale electric rate cases and other rate cases that may be filed during the year.

• Various riders, associated with MERP, Minnesota and Colorado transmission and Minnesota renewable energy, are expected to increase revenue by approximately $50 million to $60 million over 2008 levels.

• Weather adjusted electric retail sales growth of 0.0 percent to 0.5 percent.

• Weather adjusted retail firm natural gas sales decline by approximately (1.0) percent to 0.0 percent.

• Capacity costs are projected to increase approximately $45 million over 2008 levels. Capacity costs at PSCo are recovered under the purchased capacity cost adjustment.

• Operating and maintenance expenses are projected to increase:
  • Nuclear (including outage amortization) $55 million
  • Pension and medical $25 million
  • Other (including incentive compensation) $75 million - $125 million
• Depreciation and amortization expense is projected to increase approximately $80 million to $90 million over 2008.
• Interest expense increases approximately $20 million to $30 million over 2008 levels.

• Allowance for funds used during construction-equity decreases approximately $5 million to $10 million over 2008.

• An effective tax rate for continuing operations of approximately 33 percent to 35 percent.

• Average common stock and equivalents of approximately 457 million shares.

Note 7. Non-GAAP Reconciliation

The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP earnings to ongoing earnings:

As a result of the termination of the COLI program, Xcel Energy’s management believes that ongoing earnings provide a more meaningful comparison of earnings results between different periods in which the COLI program was in place and is more representative of Xcel Energy’s fundamental core earnings power. Xcel Energy’s management uses ongoing earnings internally for financial planning and analysis, for reporting of results to the board of directors, in determining whether performance targets are met for performance-based compensation, and when communicating its earnings outlook to analysts and investors.