Exhibit 12(a) PPL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Millions of Dollars) 12 Months 12 Months Ended Ended March 31, December 31, --------- -------------------------------------------- 2001 2000 1999 (c) 1998 (c) 1997 (c) --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Fixed charges, as defined: Interest on long-term debt....................................... $ 339 $ 323 $ 233 $ 203 $ 196 Interest on short-term debt and other interest................... 70 64 47 33 26 Amortization of debt discount, expense and premium - net......... 6 5 4 2 2 Interest on capital lease obligations: Charged to expense............................................. 4 9 8 9 Capitalized.................................................... 1 2 2 Estimated interest component of operating rentals................ 37 25 20 18 15 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total fixed charges....................................... $ 452 $ 421 $ 314 $ 266 $ 250 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Earnings, as defined: Net income (a)................................................... $ 572 $ 491 $ 492 $ 379 $ 296 Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements........................... 26 26 26 25 24 Less undistributed income of equity method investments.......... 89 74 56 3 (25) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- 509 443 462 401 345 Add (Deduct): Income taxes..................................................... 338 294 174 259 238 Amortization of capitalized interest on capital leases........... 2 2 2 2 Total fixed charges as above (excluding capitalized interest on capitalized lease obligations)..................... 452 421 313 264 248 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total earnings............................................ $ 1,299 $ 1,160 $ 951 $ 926 $ 833 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (b)................................ 2.87 2.75 3.03 3.48 3.33 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= (a) 2001, 2000, 1999 and 1998 net income excluding extraordinary items. (b) Based on earnings excluding nonrecurring items, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges are: March 2001, 2.79; 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. 53