
                                                                   Exhibit 23.03


                       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 June 27, 1997 appearing on page 9 of the Annual Report on
Form  11-K  for  the  year  ended December 30, 1996 of the NSP Employee Stock 
Ownership Plan. 

PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 20, 1998


