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                                                                Exhibit No. 23.5



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



   
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the 
use of our report dated January 16, 1998, included in Amendment No. 4 to the
Registration Statement (Form S-4, No. 333-67171) and related Prospectus of
Cogentrix Energy, Inc., dated March 16, 1999, with respect to the financial
statements of Gilberton Power Company (not separately presented herein).
    



                                                /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
March 12, 1999