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,  333-66161 on Form S-8, and No.  333-07853 on Form S-3 of
Florida Progress  Corporation of our report dated January 25, 1999,  relating to
the consolidated balance sheets of Florida Progress Corporation and subsidiaries
as of December 31, 1998 and 1997,  and the related  consolidated  statements  of
income,  cash flows and common equity and  comprehensive  income for each of the
years  in the  three-year  period  ended  December  31,  1998,  and all  related
schedules,  which report  appears in the December 31, 1998 annual report on Form
10-K of Florida Progress Corporation.



/s/KPMG LLP
- --------------------------------
KPMG LLP
St. Petersburg, Florida




March 19, 1999