EXHIBIT 24.8
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The  undersigned,  as a  director  of  Central  Power  and  Light  Company  (the
"Company"),  hereby makes,  constitutes and appoints J. Gonzalo  Sandoval and R.
Russell Davis, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents,  each with full power and  authority  (acting  alone and without the
others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1998 and any and all
amendments  thereto,  to be filed under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and any other documents and instruments incidental thereto, and to file
the same, with all exhibits  thereto and all documents in connection  therewith,
with  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission,   hereby   granting  to  such
attorneys-in-fact,  and agents,  and each of them,  full power and  authority of
substitution  and  revocation in the premises and full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person and hereby  ratifying and  confirming  all that such
attorneys-in-fact  and  agents,  or any of  them,  may do or cause to be done by
virtue of this Power of Attorney.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto  executed this Power of Attorney as of the
24th day of February, 1999.


                                            /s/ John F. Brimberry
                                                John F. Brimberry
                                                Director


Subscribed  and sworn to before  me this 26th day of  February,  1999 by John F.
Brimberry.
                                            /s/ Lynell Scherer
                                                Notary Public

My Commission Expires:3-11-2002
<PAGE>

EXHIBIT (24) 8
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The  undersigned,  as a  director  of  Central  Power  and  Light  Company  (the
"Company"),  hereby makes,  constitutes and appoints J. Gonzalo  Sandoval and R.
Russell Davis, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents,  each with full power and  authority  (acting  alone and without the
others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1998 and any and all
amendments  thereto,  to be filed under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and any other documents and instruments incidental thereto, and to file
the same, with all exhibits  thereto and all documents in connection  therewith,
with  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission,   hereby   granting  to  such
attorneys-in-fact,  and agents,  and each of them,  full power and  authority of
substitution  and  revocation in the premises and full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person and hereby  ratifying and  confirming  all that such
attorneys-in-fact  and  agents,  or any of  them,  may do or cause to be done by
virtue of this Power of Attorney.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto  executed this Power of Attorney as of the
24th day of February, 1999.


                                            /s/ E. R. Brooks
                                                E. R. Brooks
                                                Director


Subscribed  and  sworn to before  me this  24th day of  February,  1999 by E. R.
Brooks.



                                            /s/ Judy A. Hall
                                                Notary Public

My Commission Expires:  7-20-1999
<PAGE>

EXHIBIT (24) 8
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The  undersigned,  as a  director  of  Central  Power  and  Light  Company  (the
"Company"),  hereby makes,  constitutes and appoints J. Gonzalo  Sandoval and R.
Russell Davis, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents,  each with full power and  authority  (acting  alone and without the
others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1998 and any and all
amendments  thereto,  to be filed under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and any other documents and instruments incidental thereto, and to file
the same, with all exhibits  thereto and all documents in connection  therewith,
with  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission,   hereby   granting  to  such
attorneys-in-fact,  and agents,  and each of them,  full power and  authority of
substitution  and  revocation in the premises and full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person and hereby  ratifying and  confirming  all that such
attorneys-in-fact  and  agents,  or any of  them,  may do or cause to be done by
virtue of this Power of Attorney.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto  executed this Power of Attorney as of the
24th day of February, 1999.


                                            /s/ Glenn Files
                                                Glenn Files
                                                Director


Subscribed  and  sworn to before  me this  24th day of  February,  1999 by Glenn
Files.



                                            /s/ Judy A. Hall
                                                Notary Public

My Commission Expires: 7-20-1999


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 24.8
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The  undersigned,  as a  director  of  Central  Power  and  Light  Company  (the
"Company"),  hereby makes,  constitutes and appoints J. Gonzalo  Sandoval and R.
Russell Davis, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents,  each with full power and  authority  (acting  alone and without the
others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1998 and any and all
amendments  thereto,  to be filed under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and any other documents and instruments incidental thereto, and to file
the same, with all exhibits  thereto and all documents in connection  therewith,
with  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission,   hereby   granting  to  such
attorneys-in-fact,  and agents,  and each of them,  full power and  authority of
substitution  and  revocation in the premises and full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person and hereby  ratifying and  confirming  all that such
attorneys-in-fact  and  agents,  or any of  them,  may do or cause to be done by
virtue of this Power of Attorney.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto  executed this Power of Attorney as of the
24th day of February, 1999.


                                            /s/ Ruben M. Garcia
                                                Ruben M. Garcia
                                                Director




Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me this 1st day of  March,  1999 by Ruben M.
Garcia.



                                            /s/ Phyllis A. Pego
                                                Notary Public

My Commission Expires: 12-29-2001


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT (24) 8
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The  undersigned,  as a  director  of  Central  Power  and  Light  Company  (the
"Company"),  hereby makes,  constitutes and appoints J. Gonzalo  Sandoval and R.
Russell Davis, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents,  each with full power and  authority  (acting  alone and without the
others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1998 and any and all
amendments  thereto,  to be filed under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and any other documents and instruments incidental thereto, and to file
the same, with all exhibits  thereto and all documents in connection  therewith,
with  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission,   hereby   granting  to  such
attorneys-in-fact,  and agents,  and each of them,  full power and  authority of
substitution  and  revocation in the premises and full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person and hereby  ratifying and  confirming  all that such
attorneys-in-fact  and  agents,  or any of  them,  may do or cause to be done by
virtue of this Power of Attorney.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto  executed this Power of Attorney as of the
24th day of February, 1999.


                                      /s/ Alphonso R. Jackson
                                          Alphonso R. Jackson
                                          Director


Subscribed and sworn to before me this 24th day of February, 1999 by Alphonso R.
Jackson.



                                      /s/ L. Charlene Camp
                                          Notary Public

My Commission Expires: 4-3-1999


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 24.8
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The  undersigned,  as a  director  of  Central  Power  and  Light  Company  (the
"Company"),  hereby makes,  constitutes and appoints J. Gonzalo  Sandoval and R.
Russell Davis, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents,  each with full power and  authority  (acting  alone and without the
others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1998 and any and all
amendments  thereto,  to be filed under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and any other documents and instruments incidental thereto, and to file
the same, with all exhibits  thereto and all documents in connection  therewith,
with  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission,   hereby   granting  to  such
attorneys-in-fact,  and agents,  and each of them,  full power and  authority of
substitution  and  revocation in the premises and full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person and hereby  ratifying and  confirming  all that such
attorneys-in-fact  and  agents,  or any of  them,  may do or cause to be done by
virtue of this Power of Attorney.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto  executed this Power of Attorney as of the
24th day of February, 1999.


                                            /s/ Robert A. McAllen
                                                Robert A. McAllen
                                                Director



Subscribed  and sworn to before me this 26th day of February,  1999 by Robert A.
McAllen.


                                            /s/ Oneida M. Lorenzana
                                                Notary Public

My Commission Expires: 3-6-2000


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 24.8
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The  undersigned,  as a  director  of  Central  Power  and  Light  Company  (the
"Company"),  hereby makes,  constitutes and appoints J. Gonzalo  Sandoval and R.
Russell Davis, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents,  each with full power and  authority  (acting  alone and without the
others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1998 and any and all
amendments  thereto,  to be filed under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and any other documents and instruments incidental thereto, and to file
the same, with all exhibits  thereto and all documents in connection  therewith,
with  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission,   hereby   granting  to  such
attorneys-in-fact,  and agents,  and each of them,  full power and  authority of
substitution  and  revocation in the premises and full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person and hereby  ratifying and  confirming  all that such
attorneys-in-fact  and  agents,  or any of  them,  may do or cause to be done by
virtue of this Power of Attorney.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto  executed this Power of Attorney as of the
24th day of February, 1999.


                                            /s/ Pete J. Morales, Jr.
                                                Pete J. Morales, Jr.
                                                Director


Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me this  4th day of  March,  1999 by Pete J.
Morales, Jr.


                                            /s/ Alice G. Crisp
                                                Notary Public

My Commission Expires:8-3-2002


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 24.8
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The  undersigned,  as a  director  of  Central  Power  and  Light  Company  (the
"Company"),  hereby makes,  constitutes and appoints J. Gonzalo  Sandoval and R.
Russell Davis, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents,  each with full power and  authority  (acting  alone and without the
others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1998 and any and all
amendments  thereto,  to be filed under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and any other documents and instruments incidental thereto, and to file
the same, with all exhibits  thereto and all documents in connection  therewith,
with  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission,   hereby   granting  to  such
attorneys-in-fact,  and agents,  and each of them,  full power and  authority of
substitution  and  revocation in the premises and full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person and hereby  ratifying and  confirming  all that such
attorneys-in-fact  and  agents,  or any of  them,  may do or cause to be done by
virtue of this Power of Attorney.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto  executed this Power of Attorney as of the
24th day of February, 1999.


                                            /s/ H. Lee Richards
                                                H. Lee Richards
                                                Director


Subscribed  and sworn to before  me this  26th day of  February,  1999 by H. Lee
Richards.


                                            /s/ C. J. Winter
                                                Notary Public

My Commission Expires: 12-22-99


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 24.8
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The  undersigned,  as a  director  of  Central  Power  and  Light  Company  (the
"Company"),  hereby makes,  constitutes and appoints J. Gonzalo  Sandoval and R.
Russell Davis, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents,  each with full power and  authority  (acting  alone and without the
others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned,  in any and all
capacities,  the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1998 and any and all
amendments  thereto,  to be filed under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and any other documents and instruments incidental thereto, and to file
the same, with all exhibits  thereto and all documents in connection  therewith,
with  the  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission,   hereby   granting  to  such
attorneys-in-fact,  and agents,  and each of them,  full power and  authority of
substitution  and  revocation in the premises and full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person and hereby  ratifying and  confirming  all that such
attorneys-in-fact  and  agents,  or any of  them,  may do or cause to be done by
virtue of this Power of Attorney.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have hereunto  executed this Power of Attorney as of the
24th day of February, 1999.


                                            /s/ Gerald E. Vaughn
                                                Gerald E. Vaughn
                                                Director


Subscribed  and sworn to before me this 25th day of February,  1999 by Gerald E.
Vaughn.


                                            /s/ Imelda V. Perez
                                                Notary Public

My Commission Expires: 2-2-2001