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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 lv99W+mW9htHwKsKTCfXcA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-08-063235.txt : 20081201
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-08-063235.hdr.sgml : 20081201
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081201161600
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-08-063235
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081126
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081201
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081201

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TORTOISE ENERGY CAPITAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001319869
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1130

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11550 ASH STREET, SUITE 300
		CITY:			LEAWOOD
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			66211
		BUSINESS PHONE:		913-981-1020

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11550 ASH STREET, SUITE 300
		CITY:			LEAWOOD
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			66211

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	Tortoise MLP Investment CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20050304

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000073076
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-21725
		FILM NUMBER:		081222476

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		720 E WISCONSIN AVENUE
		CITY:			MILWAUKEE
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4142992508

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		720 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE
		CITY:			MILWAUKEE
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53202
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c77904_4x0.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-11-26</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001319869</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TORTOISE ENERGY CAPITAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TYY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000073076</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE CO</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>720 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MILWAUKEE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>53202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>See General Remarks below</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Senior Notes, Series D due December 21, 2014</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-11-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10900000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>11118000</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11582000</value>
                </valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <remarks>Filed pursuant to Section 30(h) and Rule 30h-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.  The securities referred to in Table
I, Item 1 of this Form 4 are senior debt securities which the Reporting Person is informed represent in excess of 10% of the senior
debt securities of the Issuer.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY By Howard Stern, Its authorized representative</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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