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-8 of our report dated February 21, 2014 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedules 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, 2013.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

St. Louis, Missouri

August 8, 2014