EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

    We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-3 (No. 333-62958) and Form S-8 (No. 333-38892) of NRG
Energy, Inc. of our report dated February 21, 2002 relating to the consolidated
financial statements of NRG Energy, Inc., which appears in the Current Report on
Form 8-K dated February 26, 2002.






PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP



Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 26, 2002