Exhibit 23(a)






            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated March 10, 2005 relating to the
financial statements, financial statement schedule, management's assessment of
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in The
Empire District Electric Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading
"Experts" in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
October 17, 2005