EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS To The Board of Directors of TNP Enterprises, Inc. and The Trustee and Thrift Plan Committee of the Texas-New Mexico Power Company Thrift Plan for Employees: As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (No. 333-64215) on Form S-3 of Texas-New Mexico Power Company and Registration Statement (No. 333-38634) on Form S-4 of TNP Enterprises, Inc. of our report dated June 16, 2000 included in TNP Enterprises, Inc.'s Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and to all references to our Firm included in this registration statement. ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Fort Worth, Texas, June 16, 2000