<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL RECORDS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 1,737,704
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 61,604
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 230,461
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 148,911
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,178,680
<COMMON> 0
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 0
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 0
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 669,760
0
50,000
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 623,718
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 0
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 302,640
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 532,562
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 2,178,680
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 411,337
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 12,650
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 346,611
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 359,261
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 52,076
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> (1,293)
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 50,783
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 26,725
<NET-INCOME> 24,058
1,950
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 20,022
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 38,000
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 20,433
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 77,585
<EPS-BASIC> 0<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED> 0<F1>
<FN>
<F1>SIERRA PACIFIC POWER COMPANY IS A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SIERRA PACIFIC
RESOURCES AND, AS SUCH, ITS COMMON STOCK IS NOT PUBLICLY TRADED. SPPC DOES NOT
REPORT EPS INFORMATION.
</FN>
</TABLE>
