COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 29, 2004 - Three public utility subsidiaries of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) announced that they will redeem certain of their debt securities.

Ohio Power Co. will redeem on April 1, 2004, all of the outstanding $10,000,000 principal amount of its First Mortgage Bonds, Designated Medium-Term Notes, 7.30% Series due April 1, 2024, at 103.65% of the principal amount outstanding. The redemption agent and trustee is JP Morgan Chase Bank.

Columbus Southern Power Co. will redeem on May 1, 2004, all of the outstanding $11,000,000 principal amount of its 7.60% Series First Mortgage Bonds, Designated Medium-Term Notes due May 1, 2024, at 103.80% of the principal amount. The redemption agent and trustee is Citibank, N.A.

These are the last series of first mortgage bonds outstanding under the Ohio Power and Columbus Southern mortgages. The mortgages will be discharged after the first mortgage bonds are redeemed.

Ohio Power also will redeem on March 1, 2004, its 7-3/8% Senior Notes, Series A, due 2038 at 100% of the principal amount outstanding. The redemption agent and trustee is Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas.

Southwestern Electric Power Co. will redeem on March 1, 2004, all of the outstanding $80,000,000 principal amount of its 6-7/8% First Mortgage Bonds, Series BB, due Oct. 1, 2025, at 103.08% of the principal amount. The redemption agent and trustee is The Bank of New York.