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 25, 1999,  relating to the
balance  sheets of Florida Power  Corporation  as of December 31, 1998 and 1997,
and the  related  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 Power Corporation.


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




March 19, 1999