<PAGE>   1
                                                                EXHIBIT 24 (TE)


                 POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR AND/OR OFFICER OF
                 -----------------------------------------------

                            THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
                            -------------------------






         The undersigned, being a director or officer or both (as stated under
his or her signature below) of The Toledo Edison Company, an Ohio corporation
(hereinafter called the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint each of
Robert J. Farling, Murray R. Edelman, Fred J. Lange, Jr., Gary R. Leidich,
Terrence G. Linnert, David M. Blank, E. Lyle Pepin, Janis T. Percio, Ronald J.
Studeny, Mary E. O'Reilly and Paul N. Edwards as an attorney of the undersigned
with power to act alone for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned,
with power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign and file, including
electronic filing, on behalf of the undersigned acting in his or her capacity as
such director or officer the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year
ended December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments, exhibits and supplementary
information thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with full power and authority to do and perform
any and all acts and things whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in the
premises and the undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of each such
attorney and any such substitute or substitutes.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby has signed his or her name
this 28th day of February, 1997.





                                              ROBERT J FARLING
                                              -----------------------------
                                              Robert J. Farling
                                              Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
                                              and Director




Signed and acknowledged in the presence of:    JT PERCIO
                                             --------------
<PAGE>   2




                                                                 EXHIBIT 24 (TE)

                 POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR AND/OR OFFICER OF
                 -----------------------------------------------

                            THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
                            -------------------------






         The undersigned, being a director or officer or both (as stated under
his or her signature below) of The Toledo Edison Company, an Ohio corporation
(hereinafter called the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint each of
Robert J. Farling, Murray R. Edelman, Fred J. Lange, Jr., Gary R. Leidich,
Terrence G. Linnert, David M. Blank, E. Lyle Pepin, Janis T. Percio, Ronald J.
Studeny, Mary E. O'Reilly and Paul N. Edwards as an attorney of the undersigned
with power to act alone for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned,
with power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign and file, including
electronic filing, on behalf of the undersigned acting in his or her capacity as
such director or officer the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year
ended December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments, exhibits and supplementary
information thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with full power and authority to do and perform
any and all acts and things whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in the
premises and the undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of each such
attorney and any such substitute or substitutes.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby has signed his or her name
this 6th day of March, 1997.





                                            TERRENCE G. LINNERT
                                            ---------------------------------
                                            Terrence G. Linnert
                                            Vice President and Chief Financial
                                            Officer




Signed and acknowledged in the presence of:    JEAN M. LeMAY
                                             ------------------------
<PAGE>   3

                                                                 EXHIBIT 24 (TE)

                 POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR AND/OR OFFICER OF
                 -----------------------------------------------

                            THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
                            -------------------------






         The undersigned, being a director or officer or both (as stated under
his or her signature below) of The Toledo Edison Company, an Ohio corporation
(hereinafter called the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint each of
Robert J. Farling, Murray R. Edelman, Fred J. Lange, Jr., Gary R. Leidich,
Terrence G. Linnert, David M. Blank, E. Lyle Pepin, Janis T. Percio, Ronald J.
Studeny, Mary E. O'Reilly and Paul N. Edwards as an attorney of the undersigned
with power to act alone for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned,
with power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign and file, including
electronic filing, on behalf of the undersigned acting in his or her capacity as
such director or officer the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year
ended December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments, exhibits and supplementary
information thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with full power and authority to do and perform
any and all acts and things whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in the
premises and the undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of each such
attorney and any such substitute or substitutes.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby has signed his or her name
this 3rd day of March, 1997.





                                            E LYLE  PEPIN
                                            -----------------------------
                                            E. Lyle Pepin
                                            Controller




Signed and acknowledged in the presence of:   RUTH A. HARNER
                                             ------------------

<PAGE>   4



                                                                 EXHIBIT 24 (TE)

                 POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR AND/OR OFFICER OF
                 -----------------------------------------------

                            THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
                            -------------------------






         The undersigned, being a director or officer or both (as stated under
his or her signature below) of The Toledo Edison Company, an Ohio corporation
(hereinafter called the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint each of
Robert J. Farling, Murray R. Edelman, Fred J. Lange, Jr., Gary R. Leidich,
Terrence G. Linnert, David M. Blank, E. Lyle Pepin, Janis T. Percio, Ronald J.
Studeny, Mary E. O'Reilly and Paul N. Edwards as an attorney of the undersigned
with power to act alone for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned,
with power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign and file, including
electronic filing, on behalf of the undersigned acting in his or her capacity as
such director or officer the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year
ended December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments, exhibits and supplementary
information thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with full power and authority to do and perform
any and all acts and things whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in the
premises and the undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of each such
attorney and any such substitute or substitutes.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby has signed his or her name
this 21st day of March, 1997.





                                            MURRAY  R EDELMAN
                                            -----------------------------
                                            Murray R. Edelman
                                            Vice Chairman and Director



Signed and acknowledged in the presence of:   JT PERCIO
                                            --------------

<PAGE>   5

                                                                 EXHIBIT 24 (TE)

                 POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR AND/OR OFFICER OF
                 -----------------------------------------------

                            THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
                            -------------------------






         The undersigned, being a director or officer or both (as stated under
his or her signature below) of The Toledo Edison Company, an Ohio corporation
(hereinafter called the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint each of
Robert J. Farling, Murray R. Edelman, Fred J. Lange, Jr., Gary R. Leidich,
Terrence G. Linnert, David M. Blank, E. Lyle Pepin, Janis T. Percio, Ronald J.
Studeny, Mary E. O'Reilly and Paul N. Edwards as an attorney of the undersigned
with power to act alone for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned,
with power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign and file, including
electronic filing, on behalf of the undersigned acting in his or her capacity as
such director or officer the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year
ended December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments, exhibits and supplementary
information thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with full power and authority to do and perform
any and all acts and things whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in the
premises and the undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of each such
attorney and any such substitute or substitutes.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby has signed his or her name
this 28th day of February, 1997.





                                            FRED J LANGE JR
                                            -----------------------------
                                            Fred J. Lange, Jr.
                                            President and Director




Signed and acknowledged in the presence of:   KENDRA STANO
                                            --------------------