Exhibit 12(a) PPL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Millions of Dollars) 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended September 30, December 31, ------------- --------------------------------------------------- 2000 1999 (c) 1998 (c) 1997 (c) 1996 (c) ------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Fixed charges, as defined: Interest on long-term debt............................. $ 299 $ 233 $ 203 $ 196 $ 207 Interest on short-term debt and other interest......... 57 47 33 26 17 Amortization of debt discount, expense and premium - net................................................ 5 4 2 2 2 Interest on capital lease obligations Charged to expense.................................. 6 9 8 9 13 Capitalized......................................... 1 2 2 2 Estimated interest component of operating rentals...... 23 20 18 15 8 ------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total fixed charges.......................... $ 390 $ 314 $ 266 $ 250 $ 249 ============= ========= ========= ========= ========= Earnings, as defined: Net income (a)......................................... $ 509 $ 478 $ 379 $ 296 $ 329 Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements.................. 26 26 25 24 28 Less undistributed income of equity method investments.......................................... 62 56 3 (25) 8 ------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- 473 448 401 345 349 Add (Deduct): Income taxes........................................... 296 174 259 238 253 Amortization of capitalized interest on capital leases............................................... 2 2 2 2 4 Total fixed charges as above (excluding capitalized interest on capital lease obligations)............... 390 313 264 248 247 ------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total earnings............................... $ 1,161 $ 937 $ 926 $ 833 $ 853 ============= ========= ========= ========= ========= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (b) (c)................ 2.98 2.98 3.48 3.33 3.43 ============= ========= ========= ========= ========= (a) 2000, 1999 and 1998 net income excluding extraordinary items. (b) Based on earnings excluding one-time adjustments, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges are: September 2000, 2.65; 1999, 2.68; 1998, 3.10; and 1997, 3.51 (c) Ratio of earnings to fixed charges for years 1999 and prior were recalculated to give proper effect of undistributed earnings of equity method investments.