EXHIBIT NO. 23(b)

                  CONSENT OF EXPERT AND COUNSEL


Carolina Power & Light Company:



     The statements of law and legal conclusions under Item 1.
Business and Item 3. Legal Proceedings in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993 have
been reviewed by me and are set forth therein in reliance upon
my opinion as an expert.

     I hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of such
statements of law and legal conclusions in Registration Statement
No. 33-33520 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-5134 on
Form S-3, Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement
No. 33-38349 on Form S-3, and Registration Statement No. 33-50597
and the related Prospectuses, which are a part of such Registration
Statements.




                          /s/ Richard E. Jones
                          Senior Vice President, General Counsel
                          and Secretary


March 25, 1994