TOPEKA, KS--(Marketwire - January 28, 2009) - On Feb. 27, 2009, Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) will release fourth-quarter and year-end 2008 earnings before market open. Bill Moore, Westar Energy president and chief executive officer, will host a conference call and audio Webcast at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (9 a.m. Central).

Event:    Westar Energy Year End 2008 Earnings Conference Call and Webcast
Date:     Feb. 27, 2009
Time:     10 a.m. Eastern (9 a.m. Central)
Location: 1) Phone conference call at 888-713-4215, participant code
             55295568 or
          2) Log on to the Webcast at http://www.WestarEnergy.com

In conjunction with the earnings release and conference call the company plans to post on its Web site supplemental financial information related to the fourth-quarter and year-to-date performance. The materials will be available under Investor Presentations in the Investors section of the company Web site at http://www.WestarEnergy.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available from about noon Eastern, Feb. 27 through Mar. 11, at 888-286-8010, conference ID #79738161. The replay also will be available on the Westar Energy Web site at http://www.WestarEnergy.com.

Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) is the largest consolidated electric utility in Kansas, providing electric service to more than 675,000 customers in the state. Westar Energy has about 6,500 megawatts of electric generation capacity and operates and coordinates more than 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.