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 1999 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
27th day of January, 2000.


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


Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of January, 2000 by John F.
Brimberry.


                                                Lynell Scherer
                                                Notary Public
                                                State of Texas

My Commission Expires:  March 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 1999 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
27th day of January, 2000.


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




Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of January, 2000 by Ruben M.
Garcia.



                                                /s/ Alice G. Crisp
                                                Notary Public
                                                State of Texas

My Commission Expires:  August 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 1999 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
27th day of January, 2000.


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



Subscribed  and sworn to before me this 27th day of  January,  2000 by Robert A.
McAllen.


                                                /s/ Alice G. Crisp
                                                Notary Public
                                                State of Texas
My Commission Expires:  August 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 1999 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
27th day of January, 2000.


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


Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of January, 2000 by Pete J.
Morales, Jr.


                                                /s/ Alice G. Crisp
                                                Notary Public
                                                State of Texas

My Commission Expires:  August 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 1999 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
27th day of January, 2000.


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


Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of January, 2000 by H. Lee
Richards.


                                                /s/ Alice G. Crisp
                                                Notary Public
                                                State of Texas

My Commission Expires:  August 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 1999 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
27th day of January, 2000.


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


Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of January, 2000 by Gerald E.
Vaughn.


                                                /s/ Alice G. Crisp
                                                Notary Public
                                                State of Texas

My Commission Expires:  August 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 1999 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
27th day of January, 2000.


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


Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of January, 2000 by E. R.
Brooks.


                                                /s/ Judy A. Hall
                                                Notary Public
                                                State of Texas

My Commission Expires:  July 20, 2003




<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 1999 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
27th day of January, 2000.


                                                /s/ Glenn Files
                                                Glenn Files
                                                Director


Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of January, 2000 by Glenn Files.


                                                /s/ Alice G. Crisp
                                                Notary Public
                                                State of Texas
My Commission Expires:  August 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 1999 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
27th day of January, 2000.


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


Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of January, 2000 by Alphonso
R. Jackson.


                                          Alice G. Crisp
                                          Notary Public
                                          State of Texas
My Commission Expires:  August 3, 2002