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                                                                      EXHIBIT 21

          SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES OF RELIANT ENERGY, INCORPORATED

     The following subsidiaries are deemed "significant subsidiaries" pursuant
to Item 601(b) (21) of Regulation S-K(1):

     Reliant Energy Resources Corp., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly
owned subsidiary of Reliant Energy, Incorporated(2).

     Reliant Energy Power Generation, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct,
wholly owned subsidiary of Reliant Energy, Incorporated.

     N.V. UNA, a Dutch corporation and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of
Reliant Energy, Incorporated.

     Reliant Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly
owned subsidiary of Reliant Energy, Incorporated.

     Reliant Energy Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect,
wholly owned subsidiary of Reliant Energy, Incorporated.

     Reliant Energy California Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Reliant Energy,
Incorporated.

     Reliant Energy Northeast Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an
indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Reliant Energy, Incorporated.

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(1) Pursuant to Item 601(b) (21) of Regulation S-K, registrant has omitted the
    names of subsidiaries, which considered in the aggregate as a single
    subsidiary, would not constitute a "significant subsidiary" (as defined
    under Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X) as of December 31, 2000.

(2) Reliant Energy Resources Corp. also conducts business under the names of
    its three unincorporated divisions: Reliant Energy Arkla, Reliant Energy
    Entex and Reliant Energy Minnegasco.