<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>14
<FILENAME>rexhibit23a.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EX-23(A) CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
<TEXT>
<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(a)


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


     We  hereby  consent  to  the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-02109, 333-41882, 333-57104) and Form S-8 (Nos.
333-16445, 333-16463, 333-82901, 333-91348,  333-105225,  333-110740) of ALLETE,
Inc. and its  subsidiaries  of our report dated  February 9, 2004,  except as to
Note 3 which is as of March  8,  2004  relating  to the  consolidated  financial
statements and financial statement schedule, which appears in this Form 10-K.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 10, 2004

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
