WESTAR ENERGY (WR)

[johnsyn]

Westar Energy declares dividends; company to redeem preferred shares
TOPEKA, Kan., May 16, 2012 - The Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE:WR) Board of Directors today declared a quarterly dividend of 33 cents per share payable July 2, 2012 on the company's common stock.

The board also declared regular quarterly dividends on the company's 4.25 percent, 4.5 percent and 5 percent series preferred stocks payable July 1, 2012.

The dividends are payable to shareholders of record as of June 8, 2012.
Westar Energy announced it will call for redemption all outstanding shares of its preferred stock on July 1, 2012. Holders of each issue will receive:

Preferred Stock 4.25% Series at $101.50 per share

Preferred Stock 4.50% Series at $108.00 per share

Preferred Stock 5.00% Series at $102.00 per share

The Notice of Redemption and related materials are expected to be mailed to holders on or before May18, 2012 by Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company, the processing agent for the redemption.

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Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) is the largest electric utility in Kansas, providing electric service to about 689,000 customers in the state. Westar Energy has about 7,100 megawatts of electric generation resources and operates and coordinates more than 34,000 miles of electric distribution and transmission lines.

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



Media contact:
Gina Penzig,
director, corporate communications
Phone: [phone]
[e-mail]

Investor contact:
Bruce Burns,
director, investor relations
Phone: [phone]