Exhibit 12.3 Southwestern Electric Power Company Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges For Years Ended December 31, 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 --------------------------------------------------- (thousands, except ratios) Operating income $150,787 $139,409 $138,083 $162,776 $145,922 Adjustments Income taxes 62,595 44,396 32,931 41,131 20,623 Provision for deferred income taxes (11,850) (2,244) 2,849 6,287 22,248 Deferred investment tax credits (4,631) (4,662) (4,730) (4,786) (4,278) Charges for investments and plant development costs, net of tax -- (483) (21,815) -- -- Other income and deductions 1,115 3,578 312 178 4,656 Allowance for borrowed and equity funds used during construction 2,687 2,156 2,423 9,334 6,097 Interest portion of financing leases 598 1,194 1,514 1,896 2,562 ---------------------------------------------------- Earnings $201,301 $183,334 $151,567 $216,816 $197,830 ==================================================== Fixed charges: Interest on long-term debt $39,233 $40,440 $44,066 $44,468 $43,395 Distributions on Trust Preferred Securities 8,662 5,582 -- -- -- Interest on short-term debt & other 8,591 5,736 8,381 10,706 7,568 Interest portion of financing leases 598 1,194 1,514 1,896 2,562 =================================================== Fixed Charges $57,084 $52,952 $53,961 $57,070 $53,525 =================================================== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 3.53 3.46 2.81 3.80 3.70 4-16