Exhibit 23(a)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated February 15, 2012 relating to the consolidated financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in ALLETE, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota

August 3, 2012