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, and No. 333-29897 on Form S-3 of
Florida Power Corporation of our report dated January 26, 1998,  relating to the
balance  sheets of Florida Power  Corporation  as of December 31, 1997 and 1996,
and the related  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 Power Corporation.



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




March 18, 1998