Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Basis of Presentation Disclosure [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation

NRG Energy, Inc., or NRG or the Company, is an integrated wholesale power generation and retail electricity company with a significant presence in major competitive power markets in the United States. NRG is engaged in: the ownership, development, construction and operation of power generation facilities; the transacting in and trading of fuel and transportation services; the trading of energy, capacity and related products in the United States and select international markets; and the supply of electricity, energy services, and cleaner energy products to retail electricity customers in deregulated markets through its retail businesses, Reliant Energy, Green Mountain Energy, and Energy Plus.

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the SEC's regulations for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The following notes should be read in conjunction with the accounting policies and other disclosures as set forth in the notes to the Company's financial statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, or 2010 Form 10-K. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements contain all material adjustments consisting of normal and recurring accruals necessary to present fairly the Company's consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2011, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. They also impact the reported amount of net earnings during the reporting period. Actual results could be different from these estimates.