

Exhibit   23.01



              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS




We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement 
No. 2-61264 of Northern States Power Company on Form S-8 of our report dated
June  25, 1998  appearing  on page 9 of the Northern States Power Company 
Employee  Stock Ownership  Plan's  Annual Report on Form 11-K for the year 
ended  December  30, 1997.






      /s/
---------------------------
Price Waterhouse LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 25, 1998

