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  <xs:element id="cnp_NumberOfTranches" abstract="false" name="NumberOfTranches" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_IURCMember" abstract="true" name="IURCMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_LIBORPlusMember" abstract="true" name="LIBORPlusMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_RegulatoryAssetRemaintingToRecoverThroughRatesAndOtherSourcesAmount" abstract="false" name="RegulatoryAssetRemaintingToRecoverThroughRatesAndOtherSourcesAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_FirstMortgageBondsMember" abstract="true" name="FirstMortgageBondsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_GeneralMortgageBondsUsedAsCollateral" abstract="false" name="GeneralMortgageBondsUsedAsCollateral" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_EnergyTransferSeriesGPreferredUnitsMember" abstract="true" name="EnergyTransferSeriesGPreferredUnitsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_IndexedDebtSecuritiesTextBlock" abstract="false" name="IndexedDebtSecuritiesTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_MoneyPoolInvestmentsBorrowings" abstract="false" name="MoneyPoolInvestmentsBorrowings" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_OtherInformationRelatedToLeasesTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="OtherInformationRelatedToLeasesTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersIncludingAdjustmentForPreferredStockBasic" abstract="false" name="NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersIncludingAdjustmentForPreferredStockBasic" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_EnvironmentalImprovementRevenueBondsSeries2015Member" abstract="true" name="EnvironmentalImprovementRevenueBondsSeries2015Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_BondCompaniesMember" abstract="true" name="BondCompaniesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_NewYorkStockExchangeMember" abstract="true" name="NewYorkStockExchangeMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_DividendRequirementOnPreferredStockTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="DividendRequirementOnPreferredStockTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_IndianaGasServiceTerritoryMember" abstract="true" name="IndianaGasServiceTerritoryMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_ShortTermLeaseExpensesDeferredToRegulatoryAsset" abstract="false" name="ShortTermLeaseExpensesDeferredToRegulatoryAsset" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_IDSDerivativeMember" abstract="true" name="IDSDerivativeMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_SecuredOvernightFinancingRatePlusMember" abstract="true" name="SecuredOvernightFinancingRatePlusMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_PercentageOfPropertyAdditions" abstract="false" name="PercentageOfPropertyAdditions" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_OperationAndMaintenanceExpenseMember" abstract="true" name="OperationAndMaintenanceExpenseMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_ContractBalancesTable" abstract="true" name="ContractBalancesTable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_DepreciationandamortizationexpenseMember" abstract="true" name="DepreciationandamortizationexpenseMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPlanGainLossFromSettlementReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIBeforeTax" abstract="false" name="OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPlanGainLossFromSettlementReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIBeforeTax" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_MotionsToRemandLawsuitsOutOfMDLAndBackIntoOriginalTrialCourtsMember" abstract="true" name="MotionsToRemandLawsuitsOutOfMDLAndBackIntoOriginalTrialCourtsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_CNPFirstMortgageBonds400Due2044Member" abstract="true" name="CNPFirstMortgageBonds400Due2044Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebtNetOfDiscountsAndIssuanceExpensesAndFees" abstract="false" name="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebtNetOfDiscountsAndIssuanceExpensesAndFees" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_BuildTransferAgreementAxis" abstract="true" name="BuildTransferAgreementAxis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_CERCSeniorNotes525DueMay2028Member" abstract="true" name="CERCSeniorNotes525DueMay2028Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_NaturalGasAndCoalMember" abstract="true" name="NaturalGasAndCoalMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_IndexedDebtSecuritiesDerivative" abstract="false" name="IndexedDebtSecuritiesDerivative" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_CNPSeniorNotes525Due2026Member" abstract="true" name="CNPSeniorNotes525Due2026Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_ElectricMember" abstract="true" name="ElectricMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_TransitionAndSystemRestorationBondsLongTermDebtNonCurrent" abstract="false" name="TransitionAndSystemRestorationBondsLongTermDebtNonCurrent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_NumberOfClassesOfElectricAndNaturalGasCustomers" abstract="false" name="NumberOfClassesOfElectricAndNaturalGasCustomers" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersIncludingAdjustmentForPreferredStockDiluted" abstract="false" name="NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersIncludingAdjustmentForPreferredStockDiluted" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_BellwetherCasesMember" abstract="true" name="BellwetherCasesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_RegulatoryAssetLeaseAnnualRevenueIncrease" abstract="false" name="RegulatoryAssetLeaseAnnualRevenueIncrease" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_PikeSolarMember" abstract="true" name="PikeSolarMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_EnvironmentalImprovementRevenueBondsSeries2014Member" abstract="true" name="EnvironmentalImprovementRevenueBondsSeries2014Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_LeaseDisclosureTable" abstract="true" name="LeaseDisclosureTable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_IndianaElectricMember" abstract="true" name="IndianaElectricMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_SolarArrayAssetsUsefulLife" abstract="false" name="SolarArrayAssetsUsefulLife" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_CNPFirstMortgageBonds504Due2033Member" abstract="true" name="CNPFirstMortgageBonds504Due2033Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisCorporateEquities" abstract="false" name="FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisCorporateEquities" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_NaturalGasSegmentMember" abstract="true" name="NaturalGasSegmentMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_ForwardInterestRateAgreementTwoMember" abstract="true" name="ForwardInterestRateAgreementTwoMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_ArkansasAndOklahomaNaturalGasBusinessesMember" abstract="true" name="ArkansasAndOklahomaNaturalGasBusinessesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_LongTermLeaseNumberOfMegawattsOfMobileGeneration" abstract="false" name="LongTermLeaseNumberOfMegawattsOfMobileGeneration" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:powerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_FBCulleyMember" abstract="true" name="FBCulleyMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_ChangeinAccountsReceivableRollForward" abstract="true" name="ChangeinAccountsReceivableRollForward" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_NumberOfOwnedCoalAshPonds" abstract="false" name="NumberOfOwnedCoalAshPonds" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_IndexedDebtCurrent" abstract="false" name="IndexedDebtCurrent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_AccruedUnbilledRevenuesAllowanceForCreditLossesCurrent" abstract="false" name="AccruedUnbilledRevenuesAllowanceForCreditLossesCurrent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_AmountOfAllowedEquityReturnNotRecognizedInPeriod" abstract="false" name="AmountOfAllowedEquityReturnNotRecognizedInPeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_LongTermLeaseExpenseDeferredRegulatoryAsset" abstract="false" name="LongTermLeaseExpenseDeferredRegulatoryAsset" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember" abstract="true" name="SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_CNPFirstMortgageBondsDue2044Member" abstract="true" name="CNPFirstMortgageBondsDue2044Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_WBDCommonMember" abstract="true" name="WBDCommonMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_A6.625SeniorNotesdue2037Member" abstract="true" name="A6.625SeniorNotesdue2037Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_LeaseDisclosureLineItems" abstract="true" name="LeaseDisclosureLineItems" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_RestorationCosts" abstract="false" name="RestorationCosts" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_NumberOfSharesReferencedInExchangeableSubordinatedNote" abstract="false" name="NumberOfSharesReferencedInExchangeableSubordinatedNote" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:decimalItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_AmountOfAllowedEquityReturnRecognizedInPeriod" abstract="false" name="AmountOfAllowedEquityReturnRecognizedInPeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_ChangeinContractAssetRollForward" abstract="true" name="ChangeinContractAssetRollForward" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_TransitionServicesAgreementAccountsReceivable" abstract="false" name="TransitionServicesAgreementAccountsReceivable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_SIGECOFirstMortgageBondsDue2034Member" abstract="true" name="SIGECOFirstMortgageBondsDue2034Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationsTransactionCosts" abstract="false" name="DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationsTransactionCosts" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_AttorneyGeneralsOfficeMember" abstract="true" name="AttorneyGeneralsOfficeMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_AshPondFacilityDomain" abstract="true" name="AshPondFacilityDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_ABBrownMember" abstract="true" name="ABBrownMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_SiteContingencyYearsToResolveContingency" abstract="false" name="SiteContingencyYearsToResolveContingency" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_CurrentLiabilitiesMember" abstract="true" name="CurrentLiabilitiesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_MinnesotaPublicUtilityCommissionMember" abstract="true" name="MinnesotaPublicUtilityCommissionMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_SIGECOFirstMortgageBondsDue2030Member" abstract="true" name="SIGECOFirstMortgageBondsDue2030Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_A6.95GeneralMortgageBondsdue2033Member" abstract="true" name="A6.95GeneralMortgageBondsdue2033Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_LengthOfPipeline" abstract="false" name="LengthOfPipeline" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:lengthItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_AssetsNoncurrentOtherThanPropertyPlantAndEquipment" abstract="false" name="AssetsNoncurrentOtherThanPropertyPlantAndEquipment" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_GeneralMortgageBonds520Due2028Member" abstract="true" name="GeneralMortgageBonds520Due2028Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_SiteContingencyLossExposure" abstract="false" name="SiteContingencyLossExposure" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_ContractBalancesLineItems" abstract="true" name="ContractBalancesLineItems" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_NumberOfRegistrants" abstract="false" name="NumberOfRegistrants" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_ElectricSegmentMember" abstract="true" name="ElectricSegmentMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_RegulatoryAssetAssetRecoveryOfDeferredCostsFromAssessment" abstract="false" name="RegulatoryAssetAssetRecoveryOfDeferredCostsFromAssessment" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_SecuritizationBondsMember" abstract="true" name="SecuritizationBondsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_ForwardInterestRateAgreementThreeMember" abstract="true" name="ForwardInterestRateAgreementThreeMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_AccruedUnbilledRevenuesAfterAllowanceForCreditLossesCurrent" abstract="false" name="AccruedUnbilledRevenuesAfterAllowanceForCreditLossesCurrent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_TransitionServicesAgreementCharges" abstract="false" name="TransitionServicesAgreementCharges" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_OperationandmaintenanceagreementsMember" abstract="true" name="OperationandmaintenanceagreementsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_DerivativeInstrumentTresuryRateTerm" abstract="false" name="DerivativeInstrumentTresuryRateTerm" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_IndexedDebtSecuritiesGainLoss" abstract="false" name="IndexedDebtSecuritiesGainLoss" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_RemarketingAgreementToRemarketNumberOfSeries" abstract="false" name="RemarketingAgreementToRemarketNumberOfSeries" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationsTaxEffectOfDivestiture" abstract="false" name="DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationsTaxEffectOfDivestiture" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebtAmountToBeDisbursedOrReallocated" abstract="false" name="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebtAmountToBeDisbursedOrReallocated" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_EnergySystemsGroupMember" abstract="true" name="EnergySystemsGroupMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_GeneralMortgageBonds530Due2053Member" abstract="true" name="GeneralMortgageBonds530Due2053Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossRollForward" abstract="true" name="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossRollForward" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_GeneralMortgageBondsMember" abstract="true" name="GeneralMortgageBondsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_ForwardInterestRateAgreementOneMember" abstract="true" name="ForwardInterestRateAgreementOneMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_OtherInformationRelatedtoLeasesAbstract" abstract="true" name="OtherInformationRelatedtoLeasesAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_AllowedEquityReturnNotRecognizedTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="AllowedEquityReturnNotRecognizedTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnp_CNPTermLoan150Due2023Member" abstract="true" name="CNPTermLoan150Due2023Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
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</xs:schema>
