
                                                                   Exhibit 23.01


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

      We  hereby  consent to the incorporation by reference in the  Registration
Statement  on Form S-8 (No. 2-61264) of Northern States Power Company  (NSP)  of
our report dated February 2, 1998 appearing on page 50 of NSP's Annual Report on
Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended December 31, 1997.  We  also  consent  to  the
reference  to us under the heading "Interests of Named Experts and  Counsel"  in
such Registration Statement.


PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP


Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 20, 1998



