Exhibit 23 (a)

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference in this Registration  Statement of Southwestern Electric Power Company
on Form S-3 of our report dated February 12, 1999,  incorporated by reference in
the Annual Report on Form 10-K of  Southwestern  Electric  Power Company for the
year ended  December 31, 1998,  and to all references to our Firm included in or
made a part of this Prospectus.




                                                     /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN
                                                               Arthur Andersen

Dallas, Texas,
    February 4, 2000