EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement 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 and financial statements schedule, which appears in this
Form 10-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 29, 2002