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                                                                   Exhibit 23.01


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated
February 2, 1998 appearing on Page 50 of Northern States Power Company'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 "Experts" in such Prospectus.


PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota


November 20, 1998


