EXHIBIT 23.1



                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the "Company") on Form S-8 of our reports dated March
12, 2004 (which reports express an unqualified opinion and include explanatory
paragraphs relating to the distribution of Reliant Resources, Inc., the change
in the Company's method of accounting for goodwill and certain intangible assets
pursuant to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142,
"Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" and the recording of asset retirement
obligations) and June 27, 2003, appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and in the Annual Report on Form 11-K
of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Savings Plan (formerly Reliant Energy, Incorporated
Savings Plan) for the year ended December 31, 2002, respectively. We also
consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Registration
Statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Houston Texas
May 26, 2004