Exhibit 23.(b)
                                                                  
      
The Shareholders
Florida Power Corporation:
 
We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements No.
33-62210 on Form S-3, No. 33-55273 on Form S-3, No. 33-50908 on Form S-3, and
No. 333-02549 on Form S-3 of Florida Power Corporation of our report dated
January 27, 1997, relating to the balance sheets of Florida Power Corporation as
of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1996, and all related schedules which report appears
in the December 31, 1996 annual report on Form 10-K of Florida Power
Corporation.

  

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

        
      
  
March 27, 1997