Exhibit 23.(a)
                                                                  
      
The Shareholders
Florida Progress Corporation:
 
We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements No.
33-51573 on Form S-3, No. 33-53939 on Form S-8, No. 33-45044 on Form S-3, No.
33-47623 on Form S-8, No. 33-39153 on Form S-8, and No. 2-93111 on Form S-3 of
Florida Progress Corporation of our report dated January 23, 1995, relating to
the consolidated balance sheets of Florida Progress Corporation and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the related consolidated
statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years
in the three-year period ended December 31, 1994, and all related schedules,
which report appears in the December 31, 1994 annual report on Form 10-K of
Florida Progress Corporation.
  
Our report refers to a change in the methods of accounting for income taxes and
postretirement benefits other than pensions. 
  

/s/KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
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KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
St. Petersburg, Florida                                                        

        
      
  
March 30, 1995