EXHIBIT 23.1 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of Duke Capital Corporation on Form S-3 of our report dated January 18, 2001, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Duke Capital Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2000 and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. /s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP - ------------------------------- DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Charlotte, North Carolina May 3, 2001