
                                                            EXHIBIT   23.01

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                                       
      We  hereby  consent to the incorporation by reference in the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-38700) 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



