1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in Houston Lighting & Power
Company and Houston Industries Incorporated registration statement on Form S-4
of our report dated March 25, 1996, on our audits of the consolidated financial
statements of NorAm Energy Corp. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and
1994, and for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, which report is
incorporated by reference in NorAm Energy Corp. and Subsidiaries' Annual Report
on Form 10-K. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Experts."
 
                                          COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
Houston, Texas
September 3, 1996