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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-07-064113.txt : 20071115
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-07-064113.hdr.sgml : 20071115
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20071115122703
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-07-064113
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20071106
FILED AS OF DATE:		20071115
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20071115

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RELIANT ENERGY INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001126294
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				760655566
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		RELIANT ENERGY INC
		STREET 2:		1000 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7132073000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1000 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	RELIANT RESOURCES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20001013

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Herndon Daniel Rogers `
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001418545

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16455
		FILM NUMBER:		071248565

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		713.497.3000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1000 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc3.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-11-06</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001126294</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RELIANT ENERGY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RRI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001418545</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Herndon Daniel Rogers `</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1000 MAIN STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>12TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77002</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP, Strategic Plnng/Bus Devmt</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>39829</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option - Right To Buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.26</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-02-19</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>17298</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Comprised of 30,000 restricted stock units that will vest on May 17, 2009, 8,072 restricted stock units that will vest on February 20, 2010, and 1,757 shares acquired under the the Reliant Energy, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These stock options vest in three equal annual installments beginning February 20, 2008.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>D. Rogers Herndon</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-11-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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