<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>15
<FILENAME>x23.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF D&T
<TEXT>
                                                                      Exhibit 23

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the  incorporation  by reference in  Registration  Statement  Nos.
333-46360,  333-39402,  333-66048  and  333-62278  of  American  Electric  Power
Company,  Inc.  on Form  S-8,  Post-Effective  Amendment  No. 1 to  Registration
Statement No.  333-50109 of American  Electric Power Company,  Inc. on Form S-8,
Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  3 to  Registration  Statement  No.  33-01052  of
American Electric Power Company,  Inc. on Form S-8, Post Effective Amendment No.
3 to  Registration  Statement No.  33-01734 of American  Electric Power Company,
Inc. on Form S-3, Pre-Effective  Amendment No. 1 to Registration  Statement No.
333-86050 of American  Electric  Power Company,  Inc. on Form S-3,  Registration
Statement Nos.  333-105243  and  333-105532 of American  Electric Power Company,
Inc.  on Form S-3, of our reports  dated  March 5, 2004 (which  reports  express
unqualified opinions and include explanatory  paragraphs concerning the adoption
of  new  accounting   pronouncements  in  2002  and  2003),   appearing  in  and
incorporated  by  reference  in this  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K of  American
Electric Power Company, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2003.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Columbus, Ohio
March 10, 2004




</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
