Exhibit 12(a) PPL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Millions of Dollars) 2000 1999 (c) 1998 (c) 1997 (c) 1996 (c) -------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Fixed charges, as defined: Interest on long-term debt....................... $ 323 $ 233 $ 203 $ 196 $ 207 Interest on short-term debt and other interest.............................. 64 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............................. 4 9 8 9 13 Capitalized.................................... 1 2 2 2 Estimated interest component of operating rentals............................... 25 20 18 15 8 ------ ---------- ----- ----- ----- Total fixed charges.......................... $ 421 $ 314 $ 266 $ 250 $ 249 ====== ========== ===== ===== ===== Earnings, as defined: Net income (a)................................... $ 491 $ 492 $ 379 $ 296 $ 329 Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements.................................... 26 26 25 24 28 Less undistributed income of equity method investments............................. 74 56 3 (25) 8 ------ ---------- ----- ----- ----- 443 462 401 345 349 Add (Deduct): Income taxes..................................... 294 174 259 238 253 Amortization of capitalized interest on capital leases............................... 2 2 2 2 4 Total fixed charges as above (excluding capitalized interest on capital lease obligations)................... 421 313 264 248 247 ------ ----------- ----- ----- ----- Total earnings.............................. $1,160 $ 951 $ 926 $ 833 $ 853 ====== =========== ===== ===== ===== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (b)...................................... 2.75 3.03 3.48 3.33 3.43 ====== =========== ====== ====== ===== (a) 2000, 1999 and 1998 net income excluding extraordinary items and minority interest. (b) Based on earnings excluding nonrecurring items, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges are: 2000, 2.66; 1999, 2.80; 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.