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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 1, 2007

WESTAR ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (785) 575-6300

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

WESTAR ENERGY, INC.

Section 7. Regulation FD

Item 7.01. Disclosure.

On October 1, 2007, we announced that we have reached tentative agreements with developers who will build three wind farms in Kansas totaling approximately 300 megawatts. Under the agreements, we would own approximately half of the wind generators at an expected cost of $281.6 million and we would purchase energy under supply contracts for the other half. We also announced that the agreements are contingent upon us receiving satisfactory regulatory pre-approval, and that we filed with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) a request for predetermination of ratemaking principles and asked the KCC to issue its order by December 31, 2007.

A copy of our October 1, 2007 press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by this reference. The press release contains statements intended as “forward-looking statements” which are subject to the cautionary statements about forward-looking statements set forth herein and therein.

The information in Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. Accordingly, the information in Item 7.01 of this Current Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated by reference.

Section 8. Other Events

Item 8.01. Other Events.

The following table updates and replaces the table on page 38 under the caption “Future Cash Requirements” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2006.

Management expects relatively high capital expenditures to continue for the immediate years beyond those reflected in the foregoing table.

Section 9. Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Forward-looking statements: Certain matters discussed in this Current Report on Form 8-K are “forward-looking statements.” The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 has established that these statements qualify for safe harbors from liability. Forward-looking statements may include words like we “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “likely,” “estimate,” “intend” or words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements describe our future plans, objectives, expectations or goals and are based on assumptions by the management of the Company as of the date of this document. If management’s assumptions prove incorrect or should unanticipated circumstances arise, the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated. These differences could be caused by a number of factors or a combination of factors including, but not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are urged to consider such factors when evaluating any forward-looking statement, and the Company cautions you not to put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date such statement was made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made except as required by applicable laws or regulations.

The information contained in this report is summary information that is intended to be considered in the context of our SEC filings and other public announcements that we may make, by press release or otherwise, from time to time. We disclaim any current intention to revise or update the information contained in this report, although we may do so from time to time as our management believes is warranted. Any such updating may be made through the filing of other reports or documents with the SEC, through press releases or through other public disclosure.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 99.1

		Media contact:
		Gina Penzig, sr. communications media representative
		Phone: 785.575.8089
		FAX: 785.575.8119 gina.penzig@WestarEnergy.com
		Investor contact:
		Bruce Burns, director, investor relations
		Phone: 785.575.8227 bruce.burns@WestarEnergy.com

WESTAR LAUNCHES KANSAS’ LARGEST WIND ENERGY PROGRAM

TOPEKA, Kan., Oct. 1, 2007 — Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE:WR) today announced that it has reached tentative agreements with developers who will build three wind farms in Kansas totaling approximately 300 megawatts (MW). All are expected to be producing energy by the end of next year. The agreements represent more than a half-billion dollar commitment to wind power in the state and will make Westar’s wind energy program the largest in Kansas. In addition, Westar has indicated it will seek an additional 200 MW to be available by year end 2010. Westar also filed with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) a request for predetermination of the ratemaking principles associated with these investments. The agreements with the developers are contingent upon receiving satisfactory regulatory pre-approval. The company has asked the KCC to issue its order by Dec. 31, 2007. If approved, the approximately 300 MW of wind generation is expected to begin operation in late 2008.

“In January, Governor Sebelius called on the utilities of Kansas to invest in clean, renewable energy as a way of making the state more energy independent,” Bill Moore, Westar Energy president and chief executive officer, said. “Westar Energy is committed to providing customers with reliable electric energy at a reasonable price and to do so while continuing to be good stewards of the environment. Our proposed wind energy plan recognizes these important commitments.”

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“This commitment from Westar will help us secure a clean energy future in Kansas,” Governor Kathleen Sebelius said. “Utilities, businesses and home owners can all learn from Westar’s vision – clean, renewable energy is the best direction in which to move forward.”

“Westar’s innovation and forward thinking is exciting,” said Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson, co-chair of the Kansas Energy Council. “This action demonstrates that the voluntary renewable portfolio standard the Governor negotiated with utility companies is working. Westar understands that ultimately the most affordable, most reliable and safest form of renewable energy production is wind; and they’ve taken a big step that hopefully others will follow.”

Rep. Carl Holmes, R-Liberal, who chairs the House Energy and Utilities Committee, applauded the announcement. “Westar’s addition of three large wind farms and their intent to seek an additional 200 MW will help make Kansas a leader as the largest per capita producer of wind energy in the United States,” he said.

Westar’s filing with the KCC indicates that these wind resources, coupled with Westar’s existing generating portfolio, allow it to defer the need to build another coal plant. “At some point in the future we will again need to build a base load plant. But if we can defer that decision as long as possible, we believe that will benefit our customers and our state,” Moore said.

Westar Energy said in its filing that the addition of wind resources may lower long-term costs of energy, but that in the short run, an average residential customer would see an increase of about $2 to $2.50 per month. “Increases in that range will allow Westar to retain some of the most reasonable rates in our region while protecting against future fossil fuel cost increases.

Based on the ability to defer a base load plant and given the potential effect of future fossil fuel price increases and climate change legislation, the wind proposals are a good option for Westar and our customers,” Moore added.

While all Westar customers will benefit from the wind energy, the output of the three wind farms is about the equivalent of the electricity consumed by 88,000 homes.

Under the agreements, Westar Energy would own about half of the wind generators at a cost of about $282 million and purchase energy under supply contracts for the other half.

The wind farms are at three sites in Kansas (fact sheets about each project are available at www.WestarEnergy.com):

“Westar’s commitment to renewable wind generation will benefit our customers and our state,” said Doug Sterbenz, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “The addition of wind power further diversifies our generation resources, complementing our coal, nuclear and natural gas power plants. Second, appropriately sited wind farms – like the sites we’re announcing today – are environmentally friendly. And finally, the locations we have been able to secure have wind conditions among the best in the nation.”

In February, Westar Energy issued a request for proposals to develop 500 MW of renewable energy by 2010. Westar narrowed 23 competitive proposals from 17 developers based on factors such as cost, environmental considerations, developer experience and community acceptance.

“We are pleased to have completed this first phase at prices and terms that are good for our customers. And we’re not done. Our goal remains to have a total of 500 MW of renewable energy by 2010, and shortly we will begin identifying projects with the best fit to meet our second phase goal of an additional 200 MW by 2010,” Moore said.

Editor’s Note: A Kansas map showing the three sites and maps showing individual sites are available to download at www.WestarEnergy.com.

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Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) is the largest electric utility in Kansas, providing electric service to about 673,000 customers in the state. Westar Energy has about 6,100 megawatts of electric generation capacity and operates and coordinates approximately 33,000 miles of electric distribution and transmission lines.

For more information about Westar Energy, visit us on the Internet at http://www.WestarEnergy.com.

Forward-looking statements: Certain matters discussed in this news release are “forward-looking statements.” The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 has established that these statements qualify for safe harbors from liability. Forward-looking statements may include words like “believe,” “anticipate,” “target,” “expect,” “pro forma,” “estimate,” “intend,” “guidance” or words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements describe future plans, objectives, expectations or goals. Although Westar Energy believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty. Therefore, actual results could vary materially from what we expect. Please review our Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007 for important risk factors that could cause results to differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date such statement was made, and the company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made except as required by applicable laws or regulations.