<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 24




                    CENTRAL LOUISIANA ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                 WHEREAS, Central Louisiana Electric Company, Inc., a Louisiana
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, with any and all amendments
thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

                 NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director
or officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be,
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with power
to act without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, the Form
10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all instruments necessary
or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same with the Commission and
to appear before the Commission in connection with any matter relating thereto.
Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority
to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying, approving and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or
his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of
attorney as of the 24th day of January, 1997.




                                                   /s/ SHERIAN G. CADORIA      
                                                   ---------------------------
                                                   Sherian G. Cadoria
<PAGE>   2



                    CENTRAL LOUISIANA ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                 WHEREAS, Central Louisiana Electric Company, Inc., a Louisiana
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, with any and all amendments
thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

                 NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director
or officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be,
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with power
to act without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, the Form
10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all instruments necessary
or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same with the Commission and
to appear before the Commission in connection with any matter relating thereto.
Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority
to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying, approving and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or
his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of
attorney as of the 24th day of January, 1997.




                                                     /s/ J.PATRICK GARRETT    
                                                     -------------------------
                                                     J. Patrick Garrett
<PAGE>   3



                    CENTRAL LOUISIANA ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                 WHEREAS, Central Louisiana Electric Company, Inc., a Louisiana
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, with any and all amendments
thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

                 NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director
or officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be,
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with power
to act without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, the Form
10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all instruments necessary
or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same with the Commission and
to appear before the Commission in connection with any matter relating thereto.
Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority
to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying, approving and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or
his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of
attorney as of the 24th day of January, 1997.




                                                 /s/ F. BEN JAMES, JR.       
                                                 -----------------------------
                                                 F. Ben James, Jr.
<PAGE>   4



                    CENTRAL LOUISIANA ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                 WHEREAS, Central Louisiana Electric Company, Inc., a Louisiana
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, with any and all amendments
thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

                 NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director
or officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be,
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with power
to act without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, the Form
10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all instruments necessary
or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same with the Commission and
to appear before the Commission in connection with any matter relating thereto.
Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority
to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying, approving and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or
his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of
attorney as of the 24th day of January, 1997.




                                                   /s/ HUGH J. KELLY         
                                                   ---------------------------
                                                   Hugh J. Kelly
<PAGE>   5



                    CENTRAL LOUISIANA ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                 WHEREAS, Central Louisiana Electric Company, Inc., a Louisiana
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, with any and all amendments
thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

                 NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director
or officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be,
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with power
to act without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, the Form
10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all instruments necessary
or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same with the Commission and
to appear before the Commission in connection with any matter relating thereto.
Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority
to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying, approving and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or
his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of
attorney as of the 24th day of January, 1997.




                                              /s/ WILLIAM H. WALKER, JR.     
                                              --------------------------------
                                              William H. Walker, Jr.
<PAGE>   6



                    CENTRAL LOUISIANA ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                 WHEREAS, Central Louisiana Electric Company, Inc., a Louisiana
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, with any and all amendments
thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

                 NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director
or officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be,
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with power
to act without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, the Form
10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all instruments necessary
or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same with the Commission and
to appear before the Commission in connection with any matter relating thereto.
Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority
to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying, approving and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or
his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of
attorney as of the 24th day of January, 1997.




                                                /s/ A. DeLOACH MARTIN, JR.    
                                                ------------------------------
                                                A. DeLoach Martin, Jr.
<PAGE>   7



                    CENTRAL LOUISIANA ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                 WHEREAS, Central Louisiana Electric Company, Inc., a Louisiana
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, with any and all amendments
thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

                 NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director
or officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be,
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with power
to act without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, the Form
10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all instruments necessary
or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same with the Commission and
to appear before the Commission in connection with any matter relating thereto.
Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority
to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying, approving and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or
his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of
attorney as of the 24th day of January, 1997.




                                               /s/ ROBERT T. RATCLIFF         
                                               -------------------------------
                                               Robert T. Ratcliff
<PAGE>   8



                    CENTRAL LOUISIANA ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                 WHEREAS, Central Louisiana Electric Company, Inc., a Louisiana
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, with any and all amendments
thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

                 NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director
or officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be,
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with power
to act without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, the Form
10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all instruments necessary
or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same with the Commission and
to appear before the Commission in connection with any matter relating thereto.
Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority
to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying, approving and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or
his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of
attorney as of the 24th day of January, 1997.




                                                 /s/ EDWARD M. SIMMONS       
                                                 -----------------------------
                                                 Edward M. Simmons
<PAGE>   9



                    CENTRAL LOUISIANA ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                 WHEREAS, Central Louisiana Electric Company, Inc., a Louisiana
corporation (the "Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, with any and all amendments
thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

                 NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director
or officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be,
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with power
to act without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, the Form
10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all instruments necessary
or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same with the Commission and
to appear before the Commission in connection with any matter relating thereto.
Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority
to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the
premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying, approving and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or
his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of
attorney as of the 24th day of January, 1997.




                                                 /s/ ERNEST L. WILLIAMSON    
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                 Ernest L. Williamson