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                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this joint Registration
Statement of Houston Industries Incorporated ("HII") and Houston Lighting &
Power Company ("HL&P") on Form S-4 of our report dated February 29, 1996 (March
26, 1996 as to Note 4), appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of HII for
the year ended December 31, 1995 and of our report dated February 29, 1996,
appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of HL&P for the year ended December
31, 1995 and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus for HII, HL&P and NorAm Energy Corp., which is part
of this Registration Statement. 





DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Houston, Texas
September 3, 1996