Exhibit 12 FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION Statement of Computation of Ratios (Dollars In Millions) Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges: Twelve Months Ended Year Ended September 30, December 31, 1998 1997 1997 1996 ------ ------ ------ ------ NET INCOME $240.2 $162.5 $135.9 $238.4 Add: Operating Income Taxes 136.2 85.7 69.9 135.8 Other Income Taxes .2 (0.2) - (.1) ------ ------ ------ ------ Income Before Taxes 376.6 248.0 205.8 374.1 Total Interest Charges 137.8 107.4 117.3 98.4 ------ ------ ------ ------ Total Earnings (A) $514.4 $355.4 $323.1 $472.5 Fixed Charges (B) $137.8 $107.4 $117.3 $98.4 ------ ------ ------ ------ Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (A/B) 3.73 3.31 2.75 4.80 ====== ====== ====== ======