Exhibit 23(a)

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statement  on Form S-8 (No.  33-51989)  of the  Minnesota  Power and  Affiliated
Companies  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan of our report dated January 22, 1996,
appearing on page 10 of Minnesota Power & Light Company's Current Report on Form
8-K, dated February 16, 1996.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statement
on Form S-8 (No.  33-32033)  of the  Minnesota  Power and  Affiliated  Companies
Supplemental  Retirement Plan of our report dated January 22, 1996, appearing on
page 10 of Minnesota Power & Light  Company's  Current Report on Form 8-K, dated
February 16, 1996.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting
part of the Registration  Statement on Form S-3 (No.  33-51941) of the Minnesota
Power & Light  Company  Common  Stock of our  report  dated  January  22,  1996,
appearing on page 10 of Minnesota Power & Light Company's Current Report on Form
8-K, dated February 16, 1996.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting
part of the Registration  Statement on Form S-3 (No.  33-50143) of the Minnesota
Power & Light  Company  Common  Stock of our  report  dated  January  22,  1996,
appearing on page 10 of Minnesota Power & Light Company's Current Report on Form
8-K, dated February 16, 1996.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting
part of the Registration  Statement on Form S-3 (No.  33-56134) of the Minnesota
Power & Light Company Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan of
our report  dated  January 22, 1996,  appearing on page 10 of Minnesota  Power &
Light Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 16, 1996.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting
part of the Registration  Statement on Form S-3 (No.  33-55240) of the Minnesota
Power & Light Company First Mortgage Bonds of our report dated January 22, 1996,
appearing on page 10 of Minnesota Power & Light Company's Current Report on Form
8-K, dated February 16, 1996.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting
part of the Registration  Statement on Form S-3 (No.  33-45551) of the Minnesota
Power & Light Company Serial Preferred Stock,  Cumulative,  Without Par Value of
our report  dated  January 22, 1996,  appearing on page 10 of Minnesota  Power &
Light Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 16, 1996.


Price Waterhouse LLP

PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 16, 1996