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.  33-47623 on Form S-8,  No.  2-93111 on Form S-3, No.
333-19037  on Form  S-8 and  No.  333-07853  on  Form  S-3 of  Florida  Progress
Corporation of our report dated January 26, 1998,  relating to the  consolidated
balance sheets of Florida  Progress  Corporation and subsidiaries as of December
31,  1997  and  1996,  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, 1997, and all related schedules,  which report appears
in the  December  31,  1997  annual  report  on Form  10-K of  Florida  Progress
Corporation.



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




March 18, 1998