EXHIBIT 23a. Consent of DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to  incorporation  by reference in  Amendment  No. 1 to  Registration
Statement No. 33-53171 on Form S-3 and Registration  Statement Nos. 33-27452 and
33-57869 on Form S-8 of Southwestern Public Service Company, of our report dated
October 10, 1995, which report includes an explanatory  paragraph concerning the
Company's   changes  in  its  methods  of   accounting   for  income  taxes  and
postretirement  benefits  other than  pensions  to conform  with  Statements  of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 and No. 106,  respectively,  appearing in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K of  Southwestern  Public Service Company for the
year ended August 31, 1995.
 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Dallas, Texas
November 20, 1995